For the first time since 2007 and 2008, the Pelicans have had winning seasons in a row. The New Orleans Hornets defeated the Brooklyn Nets 104-91 to maintain their road domination. With 22 road victories this season, the Pelicans are third in the NBA. Only the second 50-win season in franchise history is expected for New Orleans. They have won 42 games this season, their first winning seasons consecutive since 2007–2008.
With 30 points against his former team on Saturday night, CJ McCollum continued where he left off in the game. He led the Pelicans with nine points in the first quarter on Tuesday after making three 3-pointers. After receiving two early fouls in the first four minutes of play, Zion Williamson was benched for the rest of the game. After recording 10 assists to begin the game, New Orleans depended on its ball movement to maintain the offensive momentum. After one, the Pelicans lead 27–21.
A quick 11-2 Pels run blew the advantage up to double digits, and the New Orleans defense shut out Brooklyn. The Pelicans scored fifteen points off of the ten turnovers that the Nets committed. For four quarters in a row, New Orleans’ defense kept its opponents under 25 points and limited the Nets to 36.6% shooting at the half.
Brooklyn Nets never really tested Pelicans
The Pels led 64–45 at the half after shooting over 57% from the field offensively. Brooklyn made sure to end the half on a high note, cutting the margin to 11 points with a 12–4 surge to start the half. With a run of their own, New Orleans regained the advantage, this time to 19 points. Even with five turnovers by the Pels in the quarter, New Orleans managed to keep the Nets under 25 points once more. Williamson led the Pels in scoring throughout the quarter with eight points.
In the fourth quarter, Brooklyn never really tested the Pels, and New Orleans triumphed once more away from home. Williamson went scoreless in the opening quarter but ended with a game-high 28 points. 52–32 in the paint, the Pelicans limited the Nets to only 36.9% shooting. Brooklyn was led by former LSU standout Cam Thomas, who scored 25 points on 8/19 from the field.
Starting on Thursday, New Orleans’ road journey will continue with back-to-back games against the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic in Florida. On Sunday, the road trip comes to a finish with a game against the Pistons in Detroit.