The Phoenix Suns leaned on late game execution Friday night and pulled away for a 115-108 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.
Devin Booker finished with 30 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, as Phoenix improved to 17-13 in the opener of a two-game series.
The Suns trailed 100-97 with 4:58 left on a Zion Williamson free throw, but responded with an 18-8 closing run to regain control.
Booker created the surge at the line and then repeatedly found teammates as Phoenix punished New Orleans for missed rotations and mistakes.
Mark Williams provided a dominant finish, scoring 10 of his 24 points in the final period and adding 13 rebounds.
Williams converted four straight free throws and then finished off an alley-oop from Booker as the Suns built separation in the final minutes.
Williamson led the Pelicans with 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists, consistently creating pressure in the paint.
Jordan Poole and Trey Murphy III each added 19 points, but New Orleans struggled to capitalize at the foul line.
The Pelicans shot just 25 of 42 on free throws, a precious margin in a game decided by late execution.
Despite shooting just 5 of 24 from three-point range, Phoenix controlled the game through rebounding and second-chance scoring.
The Suns held a 53-48 halftime lead after outscoring New Orleans 31-23 in the first half, including a 12-6 edge on the offensive glass.
That extra possession gave the team a 17-6 lead in second-chance points before halftime.
Phoenix extended its lead during the second quarter with an 11-2 run, fueled by interior finishes from Rasheer Fleming.
Poole kept the Pelicans close early, scoring 11 points in the first half, including deep three-pointers and a four-point play.
New Orleans closed the gap late in the third quarter despite missing seven free throws in that period.
The Pelicans cut the deficit to 81-80 entering the fourth, setting the stage for a tight finish.
Williamson’s layup with 1:51 remaining cut the Suns’ lead to 107-106, but Phoenix answered immediately.
Collin Gillespie hit a 15-foot jumper that set up a decisive five-point blast in a span of 35 seconds.
Phoenix finished the night with 52 rebounds and 26 assists, balancing ball movement with physical interior play.
The Pelicans fell to 8-24 despite shooting 44 percent from the field, undone by missed free throws and late defensive lapses.
The teams meet again on Saturday night in New Orleans, with the Suns looking to secure a road sweep.
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