Things just can’t be easy for the New Orleans Pelicans (37-26). Tuesday night was a prime example of that when they traveled to Los Angeles to take on the Clippers (34-29).
Even after a strong start by the Pelicans, the Clippers fought back late, but Anthony Davis once again put the team on his back and put up 41 points to help them get their ninth straight win by the score of 121-116.
The Pelicans came out of the gate with a lot of fire, getting out to a 19-5 lead with 6:44 left in the first quarter. Los Angeles kept it competitive as the first quarter came to a close thanks to Montrezl Harrell putting up 10 points.
Things got scary for the Pelicans late in the second quarter though when Anthony Davis hurt his hip and went into the locker room. However, they kept their head down and went up by 15 at the break thanks to an offensive flurry from Jrue Holiday.
The Pelicans got some good news as the second half started with Davis being able to get back on the court. Combine that with a strong performance in the third quarter from Rajon Rondo, they were able to get up by 25 points as they headed into the fourth quarter.
Lou Williams and Harrel helped the Clippers get out in front with 2:45 left in regulation, but it wasn’t enough to hang on to that lead thanks to Ian Clark coming up clutch from the charity stripe in the final 15 seconds.
The Pelicans will travel to Sacramento tomorrow to take on the Kings (20-44) with tipoff set for 9 pm.
-Clint Domingue