The New Orleans Pelicans snapped the Denver Nuggets’ seven-game winning streak after a 12-point road win on Christmas day.
New Orleans beat Denver 112-100 to cap off a day filled with NBA action.
How It Happened:
The Pelicans opened the game on a 9-1 run. Denver did not make a field goal until there was 8:44 left in the opening quarter.
A Gary Harris 3-pointer tied the game at 11, but the Pelicans continued to go on a 6-0 run to retake the lead. The Nuggets grabbed their first lead of the game with 1:16 left in the first. Will Barton gave Denver a 24-23 lead after his layup.
Denver’s lead did not last long as New Orleans entered the second quarter leading 29-26.
The Pelicans led for most of the second quarter. Denver’s Malik Beasley hit a 3-pointer with 5:30 left in the half to give his team a 45-43 lead. The Nuggets went on to lead by as many as six points, but New Orleans ended the second quarter leading by three after a JJ Redick 30-foot 3-point shot at the buzzer.
New Orleans did not give up their lead in the third quarter. They led by as many as eight when Jrue Holiday connected on three free throws.
The fourth quarter was all New Orleans as well. The Pelicans outscored Denver 28-20 in the final 12 minutes. Brandon Ingram hit a 3-pointer with 1:02 left in the game to give New Orleans a 15-point lead.
The Pelicans led in the entire second half and they have now won two straight games to improve to 9-23 on the year.
Big Number: 18
New Orleans hit 18 3-pointers against the Nuggets. Redick’s three to end the half gave the Pelicans a momentum boost entering the second half and they rode it all the way to their ninth win of the season.
Player of the Game: Brandon Ingram
Ingram shined in the Christmas matchup. He scored 31 points and shot 7-of-9 from the 3-point line. Ingram’s efficient offensive night paced the Pelicans for the road victory.
Up Next: At home vs. the Indiana Pacers, Saturday Dec. 28; Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.