Sacramento Kings Hold Off New Orleans Pelicans Again in Clutch Time for 10th Straight Win Over Pelicans

The Sacramento Kings have once again proven too much for the New Orleans Pelicans, securing a thrilling 128-102 victory in their latest matchup on Wednesday, extending their dominance over the Pelicans to 10 consecutive games.

In a back-and-forth affair, Sacramento held a slim 104-102 lead with just under five minutes left. However, the Kings went on an 11-2 run, capped by DeMar DeRozan’s clutch mid-range jumper with the shot clock winding down, to push their lead to 11 points at 1:45, sealing the victory. The Kings now look to complete a season sweep of New Orleans when the two teams meet again Thursday at the Smoothie King Center.

Zion Williamson’s Monster Performance Not Enough

For the second time in five days, Zion Williamson was a one-man wrecking crew for the Pelicans, scoring 33 points in 28 minutes. Over the past two games against Sacramento, Williamson has been nearly unstoppable, dropping a total of 73 points in just 56 minutes of action. Despite his brilliance, New Orleans was outscored by 21 points in the minutes he was off the floor, as the Pelicans continued to struggle defensively.

Offense Not Enough Amid Defensive Struggles

New Orleans’ defense continues to falter, as the Pelicans have allowed at least 118 points in nine of their last 10 games. While their offense put up a strong showing, shooting 47% from the field and scoring 70 points in the paint, it wasn’t enough to overcome Sacramento’s efficient play. The Kings matched New Orleans’ shooting percentage, committed fewer turnovers (11 to New Orleans’ 9), and dominated from the free-throw line, going 21-for-29.

Bruce Brown Makes Pelicans Debut

Bruce Brown, acquired in a trade with Toronto, made his debut for New Orleans, providing a much-needed defensive presence off the bench. He played 26 minutes, registering four points and three rebounds, but was a bit out of sync offensively, shooting just 2-of-7 from the field. Kelly Olynyk, the other player acquired in the trade, was unable to play due to visa issues.

Key Stats:

• Rebounding: Sacramento dominated the boards in the first quarter, holding a 14-5 advantage, including five offensive rebounds, which contributed to their 34-26 lead after the first.

• Scoring: The game featured a high-scoring affair, with the Kings outscoring the Pelicans 54-48 in the second half after a tight 65-63 lead at halftime.

• Jose Alvarado: The starting guard contributed 18 points and 9 assists, continuing his solid play in the absence of injured teammates.

As the Pelicans head into Thursday’s rematch, they will need to find answers defensively and look for better team performances to snap their losing streak and turn the tide against the Kings.