Pelicans ’86’ the 76ers On the Road Despite Slow Start

The New Orleans Pelicans used a strong second quarter performance as a cushion for them in the second half as they ’86’ed’ the 76ers, 108-93, Tuesday evening at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA.

With the win, New Orleans (10-20) earned their fourth road win of the season, split the season series against the 76ers and scored 42 points in the second quarter, the most points in a quarter since March of last season.

The Pelicans’ bench contributed 53 of their 108 points in the game.

Dec 20, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) dunks against Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Pelicans won 108-93. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Davis, who entered the game averaging nearly 30 points per game, started the game 1-of-8 from the floor but finished with 31 points, 16 rebounds and two blocks, recording his 17th double double and leading the Pelicans in scoring.

Five other Pelicans finished in double figures, with three players from the bench.

Terrence Jones finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, finishing with a double double. E’Twaun Moore finished with 15 points, Jrue Holiday finished with 12 points, Tim Frazier finished with 10 while Buddy Hield recorded 10.

For the game, the Pelicans shot 43 percent off 40-of-93 shooting from the floor, 59 percent off 10-of-17 shooting from three-point range and 69 percent off 18-of-26 shooting from the charity stripe. New Orleans outrebounded Philadelphia, 56-43, and outscored the 76ers in points in the paint, 52-32.

For the game, the 76ers shot 40 percent off 33-of-82 shooting from the floor, 33 percent off 11-of-33 from beyond the arc and 76 percent off 16-of-21 shooting from the free throw line.

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Ersan Ilyasova led the 76ers in scoring with 14 points. Five other players for Philadelphia finished with double figures. Gerald Henderson finished with 13 points. Joel Embiid, Robert Covington and Jahlil Okafor combined for 33 points respectively while T.J. McConnell finished with 10.

Both teams exchanged baskets to start the fourth quarter.

After a timeout with 8:57 to play, the 76ers cut the Pelicans lead to 95- 88 with a three pointer by Nik Stauskas. The Pelicans, however, were too much for the 76ers as they continued to score before reclaiming their 15-point lead and winning the game.

The Pelicans started the third quarter where they left off in the second. Despite both teams trading baskets back and forth, the Pelicans managed a 15 to 16-point lead for nearly the first half of the third quarter.

The 76ers, however, managed to cut their deficit to 11 with baskets from Nerlins Noel, free throws by Henderson and a three pointer from Ilyasova. After the 76ers short run, the Pelicans went on run to end the quarter leading 84-69.

At the half, New Orleans shot 43 percent from the floor and recorded 42 points in the second quarter.

New Orleans bench players paved the way for their lead as the Pelicans’ bench contributed 36 of the team’s 54 points. New Orleans also shot 56 percent from three-point range and outscored the 76ers in points in the paint, 30-20.  Davis led the Pelicans in scoring with 14 points at the half.

The 76ers shot 40 percent from the floor. Embiid led Philadelphia in scoring with 11 points at the half.

Dec 20, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) grab the ball to cause a jump ball during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans scored eight straight points to tie the game at 25 in the second. Then, both teams exchanged baskets offensively over the next several possessions.

After a timeout with 5:17 to play, New Orleans led 39-36 before going on a run to take a 50-39 lead. New Orleans ended the half, leading 57-44.

Davis and Embiid scored the first points of the game for their teams respectively. Over the next six minutes, both teams struggled to score from the floor.

The 76ers jumped out to an early 10-7 lead with 5:45 remaining in the opening quarter. Following a timeout with 2:51 to play, the 76ers scored the next eight points to take a 21-11 lead. Davis went 1-of-8 from the floor and New Orleans trailed 23-15 at the end of the first quarter.

 NEXT UP:

Pelicans: New Orleans returns to action at 8 PM ET tomorrow as the Pelicans play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Smoothie King Center.