Pelicans Dominate In Home Win
By Dan Bruno
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the visiting San Antonio Spurs, 126-117, at Smoothie King Center on Thursday evening.
The Pelicans jumped out to a great start with a 37-17 lead after one quarter. The Spurs came out stronger in the second but could only trim it to a 19-point game by halftime. Both sides brought an equal effort in the third and tallied 29 points each, while the Pelicans maintained their 19-point cushion heading into the final frame. The Spurs put up a fight in the fourth but it was not enough, as the Pelicans cruised to the home win, ending a four-game slide.
CJ McCollum led the way for the Pelicans with 40 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and a steal, in 37 minutes. Jonas Valanciunas totaled 16 points, 10 rebounds and a steal, while Trey Murphy added 15 points, four rebounds and two steals. The Pelicans shot 48.4 percent from the field, including 13-of-34 from long range.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Sochan led the Spurs with 23 points, nine rebounds, six assists and a steal, in 31 minutes. Tre Jones followed up with 19 points, two rebounds and three assists, while Josh Richardson added 14 points, three rebounds and three assists. The Spurs shot 48 percent from the field, including 9-of-28 from deep.
The Spurs (10-21) will look to bounce back as they take on the Magic in Orlando on Friday. The Pelicans (19-12) take on the Thunder in OKC on Friday.
The Pelicans jumped out to a great start with a 37-17 lead after one quarter. The Spurs came out stronger in the second but could only trim it to a 19-point game by halftime. Both sides brought an equal effort in the third and tallied 29 points each, while the Pelicans maintained their 19-point cushion heading into the final frame. The Spurs put up a fight in the fourth but it was not enough, as the Pelicans cruised to the home win, ending a four-game slide.
CJ McCollum led the way for the Pelicans with 40 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and a steal, in 37 minutes. Jonas Valanciunas totaled 16 points, 10 rebounds and a steal, while Trey Murphy added 15 points, four rebounds and two steals. The Pelicans shot 48.4 percent from the field, including 13-of-34 from long range.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Sochan led the Spurs with 23 points, nine rebounds, six assists and a steal, in 31 minutes. Tre Jones followed up with 19 points, two rebounds and three assists, while Josh Richardson added 14 points, three rebounds and three assists. The Spurs shot 48 percent from the field, including 9-of-28 from deep.
The Spurs (10-21) will look to bounce back as they take on the Magic in Orlando on Friday. The Pelicans (19-12) take on the Thunder in OKC on Friday.
Jazz Defeat Wizards, 120-112
The Utah Jazz defeated the visiting Washington Wizards, 120-112, at Vivint Arena on Thursday.
The final scoreline is unfair to Washington because there were 11 ties and 23 lead changes through the first three quarters of this game. With that said, Utah held the lead for the entirety of the fourth quarter, riding a 60-46 second half to their victory. Utah shot 16-of-35 from three-point range and 20-of-21 from the free-throw line, while Washington shot just 7-of-21 from long range and 13-of-17 from the charity stripe. The Jazz also won the offensive rebounding battle, 8-3, outscoring the Wizards in second-chance points, 13-6.
The Wizards (12-21) were led by Bradley Beal, collecting 30 points, five rebounds and five assists. Kyle Kuzma compiled 21 points, five rebounds and two assists. Daniel Gafford generated 13 points and two boards, while Corey Kispert had 12 points, two rebounds and two assists. Jordan Goodwin led the bench with 11 points, five rebounds and two assists.
The Jazz (19-16) were led by Malik Beasley, providing 25 points, two rebounds and four steals off the bench. Jordan Clarkson led the starters with 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Lauri Markkanen finished with 21 points and five boards, while Walker Kessler totaled 12 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks. Collin Sexton also dropped 18 points off the bench in his return to action.
On deck for Washington is a road matchup with the Sacramento Kings on Friday. As for Utah, they're off until Monday, traveling to face the San Antonio Spurs.
The final scoreline is unfair to Washington because there were 11 ties and 23 lead changes through the first three quarters of this game. With that said, Utah held the lead for the entirety of the fourth quarter, riding a 60-46 second half to their victory. Utah shot 16-of-35 from three-point range and 20-of-21 from the free-throw line, while Washington shot just 7-of-21 from long range and 13-of-17 from the charity stripe. The Jazz also won the offensive rebounding battle, 8-3, outscoring the Wizards in second-chance points, 13-6.
The Wizards (12-21) were led by Bradley Beal, collecting 30 points, five rebounds and five assists. Kyle Kuzma compiled 21 points, five rebounds and two assists. Daniel Gafford generated 13 points and two boards, while Corey Kispert had 12 points, two rebounds and two assists. Jordan Goodwin led the bench with 11 points, five rebounds and two assists.
The Jazz (19-16) were led by Malik Beasley, providing 25 points, two rebounds and four steals off the bench. Jordan Clarkson led the starters with 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Lauri Markkanen finished with 21 points and five boards, while Walker Kessler totaled 12 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks. Collin Sexton also dropped 18 points off the bench in his return to action.
On deck for Washington is a road matchup with the Sacramento Kings on Friday. As for Utah, they're off until Monday, traveling to face the San Antonio Spurs.