The New Orleans Pelicans earned an important win for their playoff push. They defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 139-111 on a Friday night inside the Smoothie King Center.
How It Happened:
The Pelicans used a set of runs to finish the first quarter with a 31-22 lead.
After Memphis scored the first three points of the game, New Orleans led 16-7 with 6:06 remains in the first behind a 16-4 run. The Grizzlies climbed back into the game by cutting the deficit to just two points. New Orleans led 18-16 but they went on a 13-6 run to end the quarter.
The Pelicans recorded six offensive rebounds in the first 12 minutes. They recorded four offensive rebounds in one possession.
Jrue Holiday began the second quarter with a quick seven points in the first three minutes. The burst from Holiday increased the Pelicans lead to 40-29.
New Orleans led by 16 points, but Memphis stayed in the game. The Grizzlies only trailed by six with 1:36 remaining the first half. The Pelicans still managed to lead 66-59 going into the halftime break.
The Pelicans shots 10 free throws int he second quarter after not having a free throw attempt in the first. New Orleans turned the ball over 13 times in the first half. They averaged 15.2 turnovers per game entering their matchup against the Grizzlies.
Zion Williamson had a game-high 12 points in the first half. He played in 16 minutes.
New Orleans shot well in the first half. They connected on 57.8 percent of their field goals. In addition to converting on a high number of field goals, the Pelicans out-rebounded the Grizzlies 27-15.
Holiday and Brandon Ingram combined for 15 points in the first five minutes of the second half. The Pelicans increased their lead to 18 at that point.
The offense did not stop there. The Pelicans outscored the Grizzlies 44-27 in the third.
New Orleans led 110-86 after three quarters. They cruised to an important win in their playoff push. The Pelicans are now four games back of the Memphis Grizzlies for the 8th spot in the West.
Williamson scored 24 points and grabbed six rebounds in 29 minutes. Ingram finished with 20 points and Holiday recorded 18 points with eight assists. Lonzo Ball went 5-of-7 from the 3-point line for his 19 points.
New Orleans improved to 20-29 after their Friday night home win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Head Coach Alvin Gentry also reached 500 career wins after the victory.
Big Number: 44
The Pelicans blew the game wide open after they scored 44 points in the third quarter. They only led by seven entering the second half. New Orleans was able to cruise to a win thanks to the offensive explosion. They hit five 3-pointers in the third and led by 24 by the end of it.
Player of the Game: Brandon Ingram
The recently named All-Star reserve got things going for the Pelicans when they needed it. New Orleans put the ball in Ingram’s hands to get the offense back on track. Ingram displayed court vision and awareness with the way he moved the ball. He scored 10 points coming out of halftime. Ingram finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists in 24 minutes.
Up Next: On the road vs the Houston Rockets, Sunday Feb. 2; Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.