Pelicans Start Fast, Hold Off Furious Sixers Comeback To Win On The Road
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The New Orleans Pelicans staved off a furious comeback by the Philadelphia 76ers to hold on a win 103-95 on Friday night. Philly played without a few key players, including reigning MVP Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Robert Covington. New Orleans has been an excellent road team, tied for second in the NBA with the most road wins this season.
New Orleans got off to a fast start against the undermanned Sixers on both sides of the ball. The Pelicans held Philly to just six made field goals in the quarter, while New Orleans had ten assists and just two turnovers. The Pels 'Big 3' of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum outscored the entire 76ers team 20-15 in the opening period. Defensively, New Orleans held the Sixers to 24% shooting in the first quarter and forced five turnovers.
Mar 8, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) controls the ball against Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry (7) in the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
The second quarter started with the Pels extending their lead to 35 points for the third straight game. New Orleans is the third team in NBA history to accomplish this, along with the 2019 Rockets and 2001 Magic. Meanwhile, the Sixers' cold shooting continued. They went a combined 2/20 from beyond the arc in the first half, scoring just 34 points. Naji Marshall provided a major spark off the bench with 11 first-half points on 3/3 shooting from downtown, helping the Pels build a 32-point halftime lead.
The Sixers began to show life in the second half with a run at the beginning of the third quarter. Philly fans booed the Sixers in the first half but began to cheer as they attempted a comeback. New Orleans's lead was cut to 16 late in the quarter before Naji Marshall made a couple of key baskets that pushed the lead to 23 points.
The Pelicans offense went non-existent for much of the fourth quarter, allowing the Sixers to cut the Pels lead down to single digits late in the game. New Orleans scored just 40 points in the second half, while the Sixers were pounding the Pelicans inside the paint even with a smaller lineup at times. Philly outscored New Orleans 42-38 and grabbed 13 offensive rebounds. New Orleans anxiously played out the last two minutes after their once 35-point lead trickled down to six points.
Herb Jones' only field goal was a three-pointer with 24 seconds left to ice the game and victory for New Orleans. Zion Williamson finished with a season-high 12 rebounds to go with his team-high 23 points. Naji Marshall made a career-high four three-pointers to finish with 19 points on the evening. The Pelican's win snaps a six-game losing streak to the Sixers on the road and helps them maintain their standings in the crowded Western Conference. New Orleans ends their road trip on Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks.
