By Eric Jay Santos
On Friday night, the New Orleans Pelicans took a 136-123 win over the Utah Jazz. This was the highest point total that New Orleans has accumulated in a game this season.
Zion Williamson registered 24 points and 14 rebounds in his energizing 23-minute performance. In addition to Williamson’s double-double, CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, Jose Alvarado, and Daniel Theis each contributed 18+ points.
Three-point shooting was a key element of the Pelicans’ offensive barrage.The team made a season-high 22 three-pointers on 44 percent accuracy from deep range. McCollum and Alvarado each contributed six three-pointers to the score.
The Jazz struggled defensively with Lauri Markkanen inactive, as the Pelicans generated 35 second-chance points off offensive rebounds. Utah’s top scorers, Keyonte George and Collin Sexton, combined for 50 points.
The Pelicans held a firm lead for the majority of the match, surging ahead by 26 points in the early stages of the second quarter. Although the Jazz managed to cut the deficit to eight points near the end of the third quarter, New Orleans regained their dominance in the final frame.
With this victory, New Orleans has won four of their last five games. The Pelicans now hold 14th place in the Western Conference standings, dropping the Jazz to the bottom of the list.