Jonas Valančiūnas had 26 points (7 during a 12-0 run in the fourth quarter) and 15 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Phoenix Suns 118-103 to even the first-round series 2-2.
Brandon Ingram’s cutting layup put the Pelicans ahead for good with 10:16 left in the third quarter.
Ingram scored 30 points.
For the Suns, Deandre Ayton had 23 points (18 in the paint) and 8 rebounds on 11 for 14 shooting.
The Pelicans went 32 for 42 at the line to the Suns’ 10 for 15. The Suns gave up 19 offensive rebounds, about 8 more than usual for the shots the Pelicans missed. The Suns’ starters were outscored 45-32 in 17 minutes together.