New Orleans Pelicans (24-46) beat LA the Clippers (34-35) 124-109 at home on Wednesday, March 18, after falling far behind. The Pelicans were down 14 at one quarter break and still finished 15 ahead.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Clippers had the better start, winning the first 40-26 to lead by 14 after one. The Pelicans pulled even with a 34-20 second quarter, sending the game to halftime tied at 60.
The Pelicans won the third 36-25 to turn the game around, taking a 11-point lead into the fourth. The Pelicans took the fourth 28-24; the Pelicans finished the job for a 124-109 regulation win.
What flipped it
The Pelicans made 24.1 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 11.4 for the Clippers. The Pelicans got more from their shots, finishing at 62.7% effective field-goal shooting compared with 56.3% for the Clippers. The points at the line gave them room for error elsewhere.
The Clippers did win one battle, ball security: TOV% of 15.8 against 18.5. The Pelicans made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 96 possessions per team, the Pelicans produced 129.2 points per 100 possessions to 113.6 for the Clippers.
The Clippers' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 50-38.
Who carried the comeback
Kawhi Leonard was the game's biggest individual force for LAC: 25 pts, 8 reb, 1 ast on 9-12 shooting. His Game Score of 21.3 led everyone. His team was -10 with him on the floor.
Trey Murphy III led the Pelicans with 23 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl on 7-17 shooting, good for a 20.6 Game Score.
Dejounte Murray (17 pts, 4 reb, 11 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 46% for the Pelicans.
Across the last 5 meetings in our records, LA the Clippers lead 4-1.
The Pelicans are now 24-46, and the Clippers are 34-35. The Pelicans last five before this game: L-W-W-L-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.