New Orleans Pelicans (17-42) beat Golden State Warriors (30-28) 113-109 at home on Tuesday, February 24 in a game that stayed within 12 points at every quarter break.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Pelicans struck first, taking the opening quarter 31-19 and a 12-point lead after one. The Warriors cut into the deficit with a 20-15 second quarter, though the Pelicans still led by 7 at halftime.
The Warriors won the third 33-31 to stay in front, taking a 5-point lead into the fourth. The Warriors took the fourth 37-36; the Pelicans held on for a 113-109 regulation win.
The edge that mattered
The Pelicans took better care of the ball, turning it over on 15.9% of possessions compared with 18.8% for the Warriors. In a 4-point game, those extra possessions were crucial.
The Warriors did win one battle, second chances: ORB% of 39.6% against 35.6%. The Pelicans made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 107 possessions per team, the Pelicans produced 106 points per 100 possessions to 102.2 for the Warriors.
The Pelicans' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 39-15.
Who made the difference
Zion Williamson was the game's biggest individual force for NOP: 26 pts, 6 reb, 0 ast on 11-21 shooting. His Game Score of 19.2 led everyone. His team was -7 with him on the floor.
Moses Moody led the Warriors with 24 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast on 7-13 shooting, good for a 18.3 Game Score.
Gui Santos (15 pts, 12 reb, 4 ast) and Brandin Podziemski (16 pts, 15 reb, 3 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 42% for the Pelicans.
Across the last 6 meetings in our records, Golden State Warriors lead 6-0.
The Pelicans are now 17-42, and the Warriors are 30-28. The Pelicans last five before this game: W-W-L-L-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.