Tag: New Orleans Pelicans

Sacramento Kings Lose Second Game to New Orleans Pelicans 117-112

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) takes the ball to the hoop against the Sacramento Kings forward Trey Lyles (41) in the first half at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans on Wed Nov 22, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After getting totally ripped Monday night by the New Orleans Pelicans (8-7), the Sacramento Kings (8-6) met the Pelicans in a second game in as many days on Wednesday night. While they did trail at half-time they made things very interesting in the fourth quarter. The Kings tied the game numerous times in the final quarter but came up short losing 117-112.

Monday night the New Orleans Pelicans (8-7) completely owned the Sacramento Kings (8-6) crushing them 129-93. The Pelicans built momentum with each quarter and by the end of the third quarter this game was a done deal. In the first quarter of that first game Monday night, the Kings actually won the opening 31-29.

The Pelicans established a lead at the half 66-53 and never looked back. Wednesday night the Kings played the Pelicans in a second game in as many days hoping to turn things around but lost by five points to get swept in the two game series.

Game recap: In the first quarter of this game the Pelicans took the opener 32-30 so very similar to their first game Monday night. The second quarter was eerily similar with the Pelicans taking the quarter 32-20. At the half New Orleans led 64-50.

The Pelicans had a 14 pt. lead in this game at half-time and they held a 13 pt. lead in the first game of this series at the half. Zion Williamson already had 17 points in the first half and was making himself right at home driving the basket scoring layups at will.

The Kings defense was having a lot of trouble stopping him. Brandon Ingram had 11 points in the half. The Kings Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox both had double digits.

Mid-way through the third quarter, the Kings made some adjustments keeping Williamson out of the paint and making things much more difficult for him. As the third came to an end, Zion Williamson had not scored a single basket and Brandon Ingram had six points in the quarter.

The Pelicans continued to hang onto a double digit lead and after three quarters the score was 79-93. The Kings were trailing but this was manageable going into the fourth quarter unlike Monday’s game. Sacramento was out of that game going into the fourth on Monday night. It would all come down to the fourth quarter for Sacramento in this game.

With 8 1/2 minutes left in the game the Pelicans called a timeout. Sacramento had pulled to within two points 97-95. Sacramento’s bench player Trey Lyles had really turned it on scoring 12 points and De’Aaron Fox was really pushing with 24 points scored.

This game was within the Kings reach as Sacramento had tied up the game at 102 with 6:44 left on the clock. At 5:16 the Kings had, at long last, taken the lead 105-104. The Kings fought hard in the final quarter but came up just short losing the game 117-112.

The Kings had enough offense to have won this game but at times there was a defensive let-down. Fox had the high score for the team with 26 points. Sabonis had 23 points and Barnes finished with 22 points. Monk and Lyles both had double digits off the bench.

Friday night the Kings continue their road trip taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00.

Kings Take a Beating At the Hands of the New Orleans Pelicans 129-93

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) looks to get the ball to a teammate while under the basket against the Sacramento Kings at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The New Orleans Pelicans (6-7) squashed Sacramento in the Kings worst game of the season. The Pelicans poured in on the second half as they mercilessly pounded the Kings (8-4) in both the third and fourth quarters.

This game could not have ended soon enough for the Kings in their most embarrassing game of the season. Their worst game prior to this one was a loss to the Rockets in early November. They lost that game by 25 points. The final in this one was 129-93.

The Kings were on a roll but the Pelicans put an end to their six game win streak. The Kings were coming off a win over the Dallas Mavericks last Sunday. Monday night they took on the Pelicans and just couldn’t hang with them. The Pelicans had good defense to shut down the Kings scoring and dominated on offense staying well ahead of the Kings all game long. This was a challenge for Sacramento playing their first back-to-back games of the season.

Game recap: New Orleans did have a moderate start to the season but they still possess some very strong players in Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. They will be missing CJ McCollum with a chest (collapsed lung) issue.

The Kings Kevin Huerter was a game time decision. Sacramento will be looking to push their winning streak to seven. Whether or not the road trip along with this back to back will effect the team will be known as this game gets underway.

The Kings won the opening quarter taking a 31-29 lead. There was a very real change in the energy in the second quarter and at the half, the Pelicans had taken a 66-53 lead. New Orleans peppered the Kings winning the quarter 37-22.

Williamson was having a field day finishing the first half with 22 points. The Kings offense was struggling and fatigue could very well be factoring into the collapse. Sacramento led until the final five minutes of the quarter and then everything began to break down.

Keegan Murray only had 5 points in the half and De’Aaron Fox finished with nine points. This is when the Pelicans began to really turn it on extending their lead to 13 points going into the locker room.

The Kings would have to dig deep if they wanted to turn this game around. They had to find a way to disrupt the play of Williamson. They will be playing the Pelicans for a second time on Wednesday in New Orleans so they want to come out of this with at least a split.

As the third quarter got underway it became very evident that the sluggish play from Sacramento was partially the result of fatigue. At 7:57 in the quarter the Pelicans had a 22 point lead, 77-55.

New Orleans was running roughshod over the Kings. The Pelicans were shooting at 57% to the Kings 35%. Shots from beyond the arc also went to New Orleans shooting at 54% to the Kings 26%. This game was turning into a disaster for Sacramento. As the third came to an end, the Pelicans had taken a dominating 100-69 lead.

There was just more of the same as the fourth quarter wore on. This game could not have ended soon enough for the team. The final was 129-93 in a real shocker. Harrison Barnes had the high for the Kings with 16 points.

Sacramento will have to pull it all together because on Wednesday the Kings will meet the Pelicans for a second time in New Orleans. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.

30 points at 5:54

Curry and Warriors Dominate Pelicans in Second Half Winning 130-102; Curry buries 7 three pointers

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) takes one of his three point shots in the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans on Mon Oct 30, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After the amazing game from Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and company last night against the Rockets the question was posed: would this team suffer from any sort of fatigue. That question was answered in the first half and the Warriors seemed to play even harder in the second half. Curry finished the game with 42 points in yet another outstanding performance in the 130-102 win; their third road win in a row.

Monday evening the Golden State Warriors (3-1) took on the New Orleans Pelicans (2-1) at Smoothie King Center. The Warriors are coming off a win over the Houston Rockets 106-95 Sunday night. Fatigue did not play a role in Monday night’s game for the Warriors. Playing those back to back games is draining and the Pelicans were playing some great basketball but ended their unbeaten streak.

Game recap: The two teams played a very close first quarter with the Warriors holding a slim lead after the first 12 minutes 29-27. At the half the Warriors still held a two-points lead 59-57. It was dead even in the second quarter with both teams scoring 30 points apiece.

It was anybody’s game going into the third quarter. Curry was back to his old tricks with three shots from downtown in the first quarter and a couple more in the second quarter. He really had to step up in the absence of Thompson and Kuminga and he did not disappoint. None of the Warriors showed any signs of fatigue in the first half nor for the rest of the game.

Golden State began to distance themselves from the Pelicans in the third quarter extending their lead going into the fourth quarter 98-78. The Warriors were taking care of Zion Williamson and the rest of the Pelicans.

Golden State was on their way to a spotless road record winning their third in a row. Curry and the Warriors continued the onslaught in the fourth quarter. With under three minutes left in the game, the Warrior’s bench took over slamming the door shut on the Pelicans leading 123-95.

This is the best that the Warriors have looked this season. Golden State did not dominate until the second half but when they got going it was all but over for New Orleans. The final was 130-102 and the Warriors would travel home with a perfect road record.

The road woes are history as the Warriors won their third in a row. Curry has been instrumental in every one of the first four games of the season finishing this game with 42 points in 30 minutes. He hit 7 of 13 three-pointers.

The Pelicans are a very good team but Golden State rendered them helpless in the second half. Moses Moody who started in this game had 13 points as did bench players Trayce Jackson-Davis and Chris Paul.

This game was a real test for the Warriors and they passed with flying colors. Kudos to the Golden State bench. Chris Paul, Gary Payton II, Brandin Podziemski, Dario Saric and Trayce Jackson-Davis all played nearly 2 quarters in total giving the starters some much needed rest.

Draymond Green played 22 minutes and had six points and six rebounds as he works back into the system. What was outstanding was the disparity between the rebound numbers.

The Warriors had 64 rebounds to the Pelicans 39 and their field goal and three point percentages topped New Orleans. Their turnovers are still significant but playing the way they are right now it doesn’t really matter all that much.

Zion Williamson helped his team keep it close in the first half but it all came apart in the second half when he got into foul quarter in the third quarter. He did finish with 19 points. The Pelicans played without starter Brandon Ingram who missed the game with right knee soreness.

The Warriors now head home for another date with the Sacramento Kings their second game against each other in the past four days. Golden State beat them in their first game Friday night 122-114 and this will prove to be another challenge for the Warriors.

The only game that the Warriors have lost this season was a loss at Chase against the Phoenix Suns in their season opener.

Tipoff for Wednesday’s game between Sacramento and Golden State is scheduled for 7:00 PM at the Chase Center in San Francisco .

13-3 run third

zion picked up his fourth quarer.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors out pace Rockets for second road win

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The Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) goes for the hoops being defended by the Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (left) and forward Kevin Looney (right) at the Toyota Center in Houston on Sun Oct 29, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Houston Rockets are a much better team than they were last season and will no doubt win more than 22 games. They hung tight with the Golden State Warriors until the fourth quarter.

#2 That is when Warriors guard Stephen Curry went nuts hitting four three’s in a row in the fourth and locked down this win for the Warriors 106-95.

#3 The Golden State Warriors (2-1) took on the Houston Rockets (0-3) Sunday evening with a full roster which included the long awaited return of Draymond Green. 

#4 The Warriors on the road played their second road game of the young season after beating the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center 122-114 last Friday night. They got road win number two.

#5 The Warriors continue on the road next traveling to Smoothie King Center to take on Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans Monday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM PT.

Barbara Mason does the Golden State Warriors podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings handle Pelican defense 121-103

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Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (40) dunks against New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) during the first half at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans on Tue Apr 4, 2023 (AP News photo)

Kings Handle Pelican Defense 121-103

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (48-31) took on the New Orleans Pelicans (40-39) Tuesday night at Smoothie King Center in the “Big Easy”. The Kings have already secured their spot in the playoffs so now it’s all about preparing for mid-April and remaining healthy.

The Kings have had an amazingly injury-free season which accounts, in part, to much of their success. All the credit goes to the training staff that is onboard in Sacramento. Case in point the Kings offense lit up the Pelicans for a 121-103, 18 point win.

The Kings got a slow start in the opening quarter and the Pelicans Brandon Ingram tore up the court in the first quarter scoring 14 points. The Kings may have started poorly but they came on strong in the later minutes of the quarter outscoring the Pelicans 25-22.

Sacramento got fully on board in the second quarter outscoring New Orleans 40-32 and led at the half 65-54. The Kings had successfully taken Ingram out of the game after his hot start.

Sacramento maintained a double digit lead throughout the third quarter. Keegan Murray continued his amazing play shooting 7 of 9 from downtown. After three quarters the Kings had extended their lead to 96-80.

With 3:01 left in the fourth quarter the Kings had a 116-95 lead. They had handled one of the best defenses in the NBA. The Kings clinched the Pacific Division title in yet another milestone in this 2022-’23 season.

Every starter in this game had double digits with De’Aaron Fox leading the pack shooting 23 points. Malik Monk was back in action and finished with 17 points.

This season not only Keegan Murray but also Kevin Huerter were on the most 3-Pt field goals in a season list. In 2022-’23 Murray shot 201 and Huerter was right behind him with 200. Just another measure of the success that the Kings have had this season.

Wednesday night the Kings travel to Dallas to take on the Mavericks looking for win #49. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

San Antonio Pulls Upset Over Kings 142-134

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San Antonio Spurs forward Doug McDermott shoots over Sacramento Kings forward Kessler Edwards (17) during the first quarter at Chase Center in Sacramento on Sun Apr 2, 2023 (AP News photo)

San Antonio Pulls Upset Over Kings 142-134

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the Sacramento Kings (47-31) took on the San Antonio Spurs (20-58) at Golden One Center in search of win #48 but failed to get it as the Spurs came away with a 142-134 in an offensive shootout. A win Sunday would have locked down third place in the Western Conference for the Kings.

Sunday the Grizzlies got beat down by the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento is hot on their heels in the standings. There is still more for Sacramento to aim for before they head into the playoffs, one of those taking over second place in the conference.

Game recap: The Kings had some trouble guarding the perimeter to start the game. San Antonio is a team that does not excel in shooting from beyond the arc, but despite that, the Spurs shot six triples in the opening quarter. The Kings had numerous stops in the late minutes of the first quarter but could not connect with baskets of their own.

With 2:30 left in the quarter the Spurs had a 28-19 lead. The Kings looked a little disjointed in the first quarter of this very physical game and trailed after the first 12 minutes 32-30. Sacramento began to turn things around going on an 11-4 run in the closing minutes.

The second quarter was not one of the Kings finest hours. They were struggling with ball protection finishing the first half with 11 turnovers. They were five of 22 from downtown and Domantas Sabonis had to sit with three fouls. The Kings trailed at the half 63-58.

After three quarters the King continued to play catch up trailing 96-92. Every time the Kings made a move, the Spurs had the answer.

The fourth quarter was a tight one with the teams trading the lead. With under four minutes left in the game the King trailed 117-114. Despite some great defense Sacramento continued to trail and with under two minutes left in the game it was a one point game 119-118 in favor of San Antonio.

With 16.5 left on the clock San Antonio stepped out of bounds and the Kings had a golden opportunity to break the 123 tie and ice this game. The Kings were unable to break the tie and this game went into overtime.

The Spurs might have a 19-58 record but they did not play this game like they did. They were excellent on both ends of the court and pulled the upset over the Kings. San Antonio was near perfect in the five minutes with bench player Doug McDermott finishing with 30 points.

Every King starter finished with double digits. De’Aaron Fox had 28 points closely followed by Domantas Sabonis with 26. Off the bench Terence Davis finished with 15 points. These guys have all the markers that could result in a very successful run in the playoffs however there are a few issues that Head Coach Mike Brown will no doubt address heading into the Big Easy.

There is still some work to do for Sacramento and this was a great wake-up call. The Kings did not establish home court advantage and that’s something that they will have to do going forward. Sacramento gave up 142 points in this game, something else to take a look at.

Tuesday night the Kings will travel to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Green ends up in foul trouble again in shoving match with Pelicans Ingram

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The feet of Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, top, land on the head of New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones, bottom, during the second quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Mar 28, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David:

#1 The Golden State Warriors Draymond Green and the New Orleans Pelicans Brandon Ingram got into a tussle in the second quarter. Green pushed Ingram out of bounds as Ingram was driving for a layup. Ingram took exception to Green’s foul, and the players got into a shoving match. Each player was charged with a technical foul. Green’s foul was upgraded to a flagrant foul. 

#2 With the120-109 win, the Warriors are 40-37. The Warriors are 31-8 at home. The Pelicans fell to 39-38. The Pelicans are 14-26 on the road. The Warriors are in sixth place in the Western Conference. The Pelicans are one and 1/2 games behind the Warriors. 

#3 The Warriors have five games left in the regular season. They face the San Antonio Spurs (19-56) at the Chase Center Friday night. The game will start at 7 pm. David wanted to get your take on this upcoming matchup.

Join David Zizmor for the Warrior podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors come back from 20-point deficit beat Pelicans 120-109; Golden State wins six of last ten games

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones, far left, and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, far right, are separated after a scuffle during the second quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Mar 28, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (40-37) hosted the New Orleans Pelicans (38-38) at the Chase Center Tuesday night. The Pelicans came into town riding a five-game winning streak. The Warriors were still upset after losing to Minnesota Sunday Night. The Warriors needed a win to get the sixth spot in the Western Conference standings. The Pelicans needed a win to stay in sixth place. The Warriors stepped it up for a 20 point comeback win 120-109.

Both teams played as if it were a playoff game. The Pelicans’ defense in the first half had the Warriors’ offense out of rhythm. The Warriors’ defense in the second half shut down the Pelican offense in the second half. For the 12th time this season, the Warriors overcame a double-digit halftime deficit to win. The Warriors beat the Pelicans 120-109.

The teams exchanged the lead three or four times in the first quarter. The Warriors led 23-20 when the Pelicans went on an 11-0 run to lead 31-23. The Pelicans led 33-25 when the Warriors fouled Brandon Ingram making a desperation three-point shot with 0.8 seconds left. Steve Kerr shook his head in disbelief as Ingram made all three free throws to give the Pelicans the lead, 36-25. 

The Pelicans continued to dominate play in the second quarter. The Pelicans increased the lead to 20 points, 63-43. Stephen Curry connected on a three to finish the first half with the Warriors trailing, 63-46. New Orleans had three players in double figures. Curry was the only Warrior in double figures. Curry had 17 and made three threes. The Warriors turned the ball over 14 times in the first half. If they hoped to win, the Warriors would have to find a way to turn things around.

The Warriors needed someone to provide the spark to get them back in the game. That spark came from Donte DiVincenzo and Klay Thompson as the Warriors went on an 8-0 run to start the third period. DiVincezo scored the first five points, and Thompson knocked down a three.

The Pelicans held off the Warriors attack for a while. The Pelicans led by 13, 73-60 when C J McCollum was charged with a flagrant foul as he ran over DiVincenzo. DiVincezo made both free throws, and the Warriors had possession. Thompson made a three, and the Warriors now trailed by eight.

The Warriors now had momentum on their side. Late in the quarter, Pelicans led 89-80. Kevon Looney made two offensive rebounds, allowing Curry to make a three. On the ensuing play, Jordan Poole stole the ball and made a layup to make it 89-85 at the end of the third quarter. The Warriors outscored the Pelicans 39-26. 

The Warriors kept attacking the rim. Curry made it a two-point game, 89-87, after a steal and a bucket. The Pelicans fought back. They led 94-91. Poole made two consecutive baskets to give the Warriors their first lead, 95-94. The Warriors never relinquished the lead. Poole, Curry, and Thompson all made threes. The Warriors led 118-103 with one minute left in the game.

Game Notes: With the win, the Warriors are 40-37. The Warriors are 31-8 at home. The Pelicans fell to 39-38. The Pelicans are 14-26 on the road. The Warriors are in sixth place in the Western Conference. The Pelicans are one and 1/2 games behind the Warriors. 

The Warriors split the season series with the Pelicans 2-2. The Warriors had 14 turnovers in the first half and five in the second half. 

Draymond Green and Ingram got into a tussle in the second quarter. Green pushed Ingram out of bounds as Ingram was driving for a layup. Ingram took exception to Green’s foul, and the players got into a shoving match. Each player was charged with a technical foul. Green’s foul was upgraded to a flagrant foul. 

Curry had another phenomenal performance Tuesday night. Curry’s line was 39 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, eight threes, and three steals. Poole had 21, Thompson 17 points, DiVincenzo 13, and Jonathan Kuminga 13. 

Ingram led the Pelicans with 26, McCollum had 15, Trey Murphy 21, Herbert Jones 13, and Jonas Valanciunas 11. 

The Warriors have five games left in the regular season. They face the San Antonio Spurs at the Chase Center Friday night. The game will start at 7 pm.

Kings Huerter leads with 25, Sabonis gets triple double in 123-108 win over Pelicans

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Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) is defended by New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas in the first quarter at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Mar 6, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

Sacramento Kings (38-26) Kevin Huerter scores 25 points to lead the Kings with Domantas Sabonis scoring a triple double which was his eighth triple double of the 2022-23 season. It was another home victory for the Kings defeating the visiting New Orleans Pelicans (31-34) 123-108 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

Sabonis’ contribution paid off big in the scoring department helping out Huerter’s effort. Sabonis scored 19 and had 11 rebounds, 11 assists. Sabonis is the NBA leader with 52 double doubles. The Kings have now won six of their last seven games since All Star weekend back on Sun Feb 19th.

The Kings have been playing amazing ball and picking up wins that have now placed them in second seeding in the NBA Western Conference just behind the first seeded Memphis Grizzlies by a half game. Kings Keegan Murray hopes Sacramento can keep up the pace hoping they can get the home floor advantage through the post season.

Murray mentioned that the Kings have some tough stretches coming up facing teams like the New York Knicks this Thursday at Golden 1, then hit the road to face Phoenix Suns Sat Mar 11, then back in Sacramento on Mon Mar 13 against the Milwaukee Bucks.

“We want to play our first (playoff) game at home,” Murray said. “It’s not easy, we know we have a lot of tough stretches coming up. We know we have to be locked in every single night.” The third quarter was key as the Kings out scored the Pelicans by a 18 point margin 38-20 that pretty much clinched it for Sacramento. A great offensive third quarter performance considering the game was all tied up at 59 each at the half.

The Knicks have been on a roll winning nine of their last ten games and have won nine straight games defeating the Boston Celtics in their last game on 131-129 in overtime on Sunday at TD Garden in Boston. The Knicks are in fifth place in the NBA Eastern Conference. The win for the Kings is their seventh in ten games. The tip with the Knicks and Kings is at 7:00p this coming Thursday night at Golden 1.

Warriors overcome 17-point deficit to beat Pelicans 108-99

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Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) tries to get past New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones during the first half at Chase Center in San Francisco on Fri Mar 3, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

My oh my. How do the Warriors do it? For the fourth straight game, the Warriors overcame a double-digit deficit to win. The script was the same. The Warriors start slowly, then get the offense in gear and stop the opponent’s offense. They did that against Minnesota, Portland, and the LA Clippers.

Friday night’s foe, The New Orleans Pelicans, came into town with the NBA’s best defense against the three-point shot. Steve Kerr’s answer was for the Warriors to drive to the basket, get fouled, and have the Warriors defense stop the Pelican offense.

The Warriors didn’t get the message in the first quarter as the Pelicans led by 17, 35-18. Jonathan Kuminga made a three at the end of the period to get the Warriors closer, 35- 21. The Warriors started the comeback in the second quarter, holding the Pelicans to 22 points.

As they did in the games against Portland and LA, the Warrior defense allowed the Pelicans 21 points in the third quarter and 21 points in the fourth. The Warrior offense perked up, and behind the play of Klay Thompson, Kuminga, and Jordan Poole, The Warriors won a thriller 108-99.

Trailing by 15 points starting the second period, the Warriors outscored the Pelicans 33-22. JaMychal Green, coming off the bench, tallied eleven points to help the Warriors get back into the game. Thompson had 11, Kumina had nine, and Poole and Kevon Looney had eight. The Warriors finished the first half trailing 57-54. The Pelicans had four players in double figures in the first half Naji Marshall led the Pelicans with 12. Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy, and C J McCollum each had ten.

In the previous two games, Golden State owned the third quarter. The Warriors did win the quarter 28-21 to end the third quarter with a four-point lead 82-78. Thompson led the surge by making three threes. The Warriors defense put the shackles on the Pelican’s Ingram.

A four-point lead is relatively easy to overcome in the fourth quarter. The Pelicans had to find a way to break down the Warrior defense. The Pelicans wanted to get the ball to McCullom or Ingram. Draymond Green, Kuminga, Looney, and Donte DiVincenzo was tasked with stopping the Pelicans.

Things did not go well for the Warriors. The Pelicans fought back and regained the lead 93-89. Anthony Lamb made a three to make it a 93-92 game. Thompson made his fourth three of the night to put the Warriors ahead 95-93. DiVincenzo made his first and only basket of the night.

It was a three-pointer. DiVincenzo spent most of the night playing defense against the Pelican’s two big stars, Ingram and McCollum. The Warriors defense made the stops, and the offense carried them to a hard-fought 108-99 win.

Game Notes: The Warriors won their fifth straight game. They are now four games over the .500 mark with a record of 34-30. The Pelicans fall to 31-33.

The Warriors had six players in double figures. Thompson led the team with 27 points and four threes. Kuminga had another big game. The young star finished with 19 points and seven rebounds. He played well on both ends of the court. Poole did not make a three.

What Poole did was take the ball to the basket. He was fouled several times, and he knocked down 12 free throws. His point total for the game was 18. Looney had a double-double with ten points and ten rebounds. JaMYchal Green had 14 points and six boards. Anthony Lamb made three threes and finished with 11. 

Instead of winning the game from behind the three-point arc, the Warriors won by outscoring the Pelicans 52-36 with points in the paint.

The Pelicans’ leading scorer was McCollum with 25. Ingram had 17. Trey Murphy had 16, and Naji Marshall finished with 14.

The Warriors meet the Los Angeles Lakers in LA on Sunday. Warriors guard Stephen Curry will be returning to the Warriors lineup. The game will start at 12:30 pm.