With a back-to-back trip through Texas looming this weekend, it might be easy for Suns fans to look past opening night on this crucial three-game road challenge.
But Wednesday night's date with the New Orleans Pelicans will command the team's full attention. Despite losing all three of their previous games with the Suns this season, the Pelicans have the weapons to be dangerous.
This season: The Suns have averaged 107 points per game in their three triumphs over New Orleans, knocking in 50 percent of their shots from the field.
The Pelicans are averaging 99 points per game on 47-percent shooting against Phoenix.
SUNS (46-31) at NEW ORLEANS (32-45)
4:30 p.m. FOX Sports Arizona
Playoff chase: Dallas (48-31) beat Utah 95-83 on Tuesday night to solidify its hold on seventh place; Memphis (45-32) is at home on Wednesday night vs. Miami.
Key Variable: Just how physically capable will Pelicans star Anthony Davis be by game time?
With back issues mitigating his effectiveness, Davis missed 12 of 18 shots from the field, scored 15 points and collected only 5 rebounds in Sunday's loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Over three games in April, Davis has been limited to 9.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in only 23 minutes per game.
In March, his personal uprising provided New Orleans with 24.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.
Opposition Wild Cards: Guard Anthony Morrow has been a threat beyond the 3-point line in recent weeks, while Tyreke Evans has averaged more than 20 points per game as a starter.
Suns Big Advantage: Yeah, those point guards. With the Pelicans limited to Brian Roberts and Austin Rivers as PGs, keeping up with Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe will require, like it does for most teams, a mighty effort.
