In a room where it is very complicated to win, the Pelicans created the second feat of the evening by winning 127-117 with 30 points for Brandon Ingram and 23 points from Herb Jones. Like the Pacers, Willie Green's players validate their ticket to Las Vegas, and they confirm that in their entirety (or almost), they form a formidable team.
However, it was the Kings who had the best start with Domantas Sabonis going to posterize his friend and compatriot Jonas Valanciunas, while De'Aaron Fox sent Malik Monk to the alley-oop. The “dogs are unleashed” and Sacramento takes off (32-17). And then Jose Alvarado covers JaVale McGee, and this counter wakes up the Pelicans! Ingram demonstrates his mastery of the “fadeaway” and Herb Jones emerges for an improbable tap at the buzzer, in an arm roll! In four minutes, New Orleans signs an 18-4 to return to -1 (36-35).
The Kings are stunned, unable to respond to the energy of the Pelicans substitutes, and the “thief” Alvarado continues the crazy series with a 6-1 to take control (41-37). Straddling the two quarters, we are on a 24-5! And the Pelicans insist with the Murphy-McCollum duo who strike from afar. The Pelicans play efficient, rhythmic basketball and confidence does the rest. It takes a 3-pointer at the buzzer from Monk to limit the damage at the break (69-61).
Lucky Ingram
Returning from the locker room, the Ingram-Williamson duo takes matters into their own hands, and the Kings defense explodes. Zion fixes and passes, while Ingram goes looking for the foul. The gap swells (81-66) and Fox clearly lacks support. It's finally at the end of the bench that Mike Brown will find a solution with the amazing Keon Ellis! Under his leadership, the Kings chipped away at -4 (95-91). The Golden 1 Center roars, but… Ingram scores an ultra-lucky 3-pointer that cools the room.
The start of the 4th quarter is a marvel with the Fox-Monk duo giving everything they have. Their complicity hurts the Pelicans very much, but McCollum, with all finesse, responds to them and the Pelicans do not give in (109-102). Despite a great Sabonis, it is ultimately Sacramento who will crack five minutes from the end. It's Murphy, at 3 points, who launches the last “run”, and in two minutes, the gap goes back to +15! This time, the Kings will not recover, and the Pelicans validate their ticket to Las Vegas where they will challenge the winner of Lakers – Suns.
What you must remember
– The impact of Jose Alvarado. “Grand Theft Alvarado” strikes again! The biggest pickpocket in the NBA made his move at the end of the first quarter to disrupt the Kings' game, and above all energize his teammates. Blocks, interceptions, 3-pointers… He was everywhere, and he did his special thing: stealing the ball from behind, and Fox was trapped like a bruiser.
– Black beast. Three matches, three victories for the Pelicans this season against the Kings. The two teams will face each other five times this season, and Willie Green's players are already guaranteed to have the tie-breaker in the event of a tie.
– Collective. The Pelicans finish with four players with at least 10 points and 5 assists! It's the first time this season, and Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Herb Jones and CJ McCollum tie a franchise record. On several occasions, the circulation of the ball made the difference with an “extra pass” for an unopposed basket, near the circle.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
