Injury-riddled New Orleans Pelicans held on for a vital 126–117 win against the San Antonio Spurs at the Smoothie King Center.
The Pelicans took a big 20-point lead in the first quarter, finishing the half with a 19-point lead. After an equal scoring third quarter, the Spurs began their fightback in the fourth quarter with a 10-0 run, but the Pelicans held on for the win.
Guard CJ McCollum scored a season-high 40 points to help the Pelicans snap their four-game losing streak that started with a back-to-back loss against the high-flying Utah Jazz.
McCollum added 8 rebounds and 9 assists, scoring 14 of his 27 field-goal attempts, seven of 14 from the 3-point line, and a perfect 5 for 5 from the free-throw line.
Jonas Valanciunas had 16 points and 10 rebounds, Trey Murphy III (15 points), and Herb Jones (12 points) all contributed to the Western Conference team’s 19th win of the season.
Jeremy Sochan scored a career-high 23 points for San Antonio, youngster Tre Jones scored 19 points in 28 minutes; and Stanley Johnson scored 12 points, including nine in the final period.
The Pelicans are third in the Western Conference and are still without NBA All-Star Brandon Ingram, who missed his 12th straight game with a left toe injury; Larry Nance Jr., who missed his second straight game with a sore right Achilles tendon; and Zion Williamson due to the league’s health and safety protocol.
In the other game, the Utah Jazz secured their fourth win in six games with a 120–112 triumph over the Washington Wizards.
They took a three-point lead into the final quarter before adding an extra five to secure their 19th win of the season.
Substitute Malik Beasley led the Jazz in scoring with 25 points off the bench, while Jordan Clarkson finished the game with 23 points.
Finnish forward Lauri Markkanen shot 4 of 9 from the 3-point line to end the game with 21 points, while Colin Sexton scored 18 points in 17 minutes after missing seven games with a right hamstring injury.
Brad Beal led both teams in scoring with 30 points, while the in-form Kyle Kuzma scored 21 points for the Wizards in the absence of Kristaps Porzingis, who missed his second game due to illness.
The loss was the Wizards’ 14th in their last 16 games, and they are currently 12th in the Eastern Conference.
