3’s Help Pelicans Snap 4-Game Losing Streak
The number “3” was a lot greater than the number “4” for the New Orleans Pelicans last night at the Sleep Train Arena last night in Sacramento, California. The Pelicans suddenly awoke from a 4-game slumber that put them near the bottom of the Western Conference , with some clutch three point shooting and bench play that helped the New Orleans defeat the Sacramento Kings, 109-97.
The Pelicans shot 49 percent off 16-of-33 attempts from three-point range, with Eric Gordon recorded his 11th 20-point performance, going 6-of-12 from beyond the arc to finish with 24 points.
Anthony Davis, who missed two consecutive games with a bruised back injury, played 37 minutes, scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Ryan Anderson finished 4-of-6 from three-point range, finishing with 18 points. Anderson and Norris Cole combined for 36 points off the bench.
With the win, the Pelicans (12-26) improved to 5-17 on the road and snapped a four-game losing streak. Before the win last night, the Pelicans were 3-7 in their last 10 games.
New Orleans tied a franchise-high with 16 three pointers.
Jan 13, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) controls the ball against Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Omer Asik recorded his third straight 10 plus rebound performance and tied his season-high of 13, set last night against the Los Angeles Lakers.
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DeMarcus Cousins, who entered the game leading all NBA players in scoring with 32 points per game, led the Kings in scoring with 32 points, followed by Rajon Rondo with 17 points and Rudy Gay with 12.
The Pelicans finished the game shooting 42 percent from the field, and 82 percent from the free throw line. New Orleans recorded more assists than Sacramento, 27-21. Despite being outrebounded, the Pelicans won the turnover battle as well, committing seven to the Kings 18 in the contest.
The Kings (15-23) shot 49 percent from the field and 64 percent from the free throw line. Sacramento outrebounded New Orleans, 52-45, and outscored the team in points in the paint, 58-42.
The Kings scored the first four points of the game. The Pelicans, however, went on a 7-0 run to take a 7-4 lead. The two teams then traded baskets before Davis hit a long three pointer to give the Pelicans a 15-10 lead.
Following a timeout, New Orleans continued its fast-pace style, scoring seven straight points to give the Pelicans a 22-12 advantage. The Pelicans ended the first quarter, leading 28-19.
Jan 13, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Gordon (10) controls the ball against Sacramento Kings center Kosta Koufos (41) and Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. New Orleans defeated Sacramento 109-97. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
In the second quarter, the two teams continued to trade baskets. With 8:57 to play, Rondo and Cousins combined for six points while Anderson, Cole and Gordon combined for seven points to help the Pelicans maintain their 13-point advantage.
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Leading 42-30 with 5:24 remaining in the first half, New Orleans controlled the rest of the quarter behind clutch three point shooting from Cole and great shooting from Gordon. The Pelicans led 59-44 at the half.
The Pelicans opened the third quarter with a field goal from Cole and a three pointer from Gordon to give the Pelicans a 64-48 lead. The Kings then responded, scoring 13 points to cut the Pelicans lead to 11 points.
With 5:40 to play in the 3rd, Jrue Holiday hit two free throws, starting a 9-0 run for the Pelicans and increasing their lead to 80-60. The Pelicans outscored the Kings, 10-5, in the final 3:31 of the quarter to take a 90-65 lead going into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Sacramento went on a 14-0 run powered by Cousins, cutting the Pelicans lead to 16 points. With 5:28 remaining in the game, Sacramento continued to use its offensive surge, narrowing the Pelicans lead to as low as 12 points. The Pelicans, who almost gave up a 25-point lead, used clutch three point shooting and free throws to seal the victory.
New Orleans returns to action on Friday as the Pelicans play the Charlotte Hornets in the Smoothie King Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.