Malik Dia scored 18 points and the New Orleans Pelicans never trailed in an 81-75 victory over the Phoenix Suns in Las Vegas summer league action Sunday at the Pavilion.
Dia shot 6-of-12 and added eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks for the Pelicans. Jaron Pierre Jr., a second-round pick, celebrated his 24th birthday with 16 points, including three 3-pointers. Kobe Bufkin added 15 points.
Darius Brown II led the Suns with 18 points, five rebounds and four assists. Khaman Maluach had 15 points and 15 rebounds, and first-round draft pick Koa Peat (No. 30) finished with 12 points and four boards.
New Orleans built a lead as large as 12 points in the third quarter. Phoenix mounted a late comeback, cutting the deficit to 75-72 on a 3-pointer by Maluach with 1:22 left. After a goaltending call on Maluach gave Bufkin a layup to extend the Pelicans' lead to 77-72, Peat answered with a jumper to make it a one-possession game again with 17 seconds to play. However, the Pelicans hit their free throws in the closing seconds to secure the win.
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