The Phoenix Suns started out hot and never looked back, as they took down the New Orleans Pelicans in Game 1 of their first round duel in the NBA Playoffs on Sunday, 110-99.

While the Pelicans mounted a huge surge in the third quarter to cut the lead to only seven points, the Suns pushed the pedal in the final period to seal the victory. The Pelicans are not necessarily a high-scoring team, averaging a 10th-worst 109.3 points per game in the regular season, but they got exposed even more by the Suns' searing defense.

NBA on TNT analyst Charles Barkley was so impressed, he couldn't help but make a bold declaration.

“I don't want to get carried away but that's arguably one of the greatest defensive performances I've ever seen. A whole NBA team (was limited to) 34 points in a half. Everybody plays defense on that team. (Mikal) Bridges is up for Defensive Player of the Year, but Jae Crowder, you got (Devin Booker) playing good defense, I mean, (Deandre) Ayton is blocking everything. That was impressive to watch.”

With the Suns' suffocating defense, the Pelicans were held to an abysmal 37.9% shooting from the field. The Suns, on the other hand, shot a smoldering 53.8% from the floor, including a shooting clinic in the fourth quarter.

Pelicans stars Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Jonas Valanciunas were limited to a combined 22-of-63 shooting from the field.

The Suns have always been proud of their defense and they will look to continue to shackle the Pelicans for a 2-0 series lead on Tuesday.