New Orleans Pelicans (25-46) beat LA the Clippers (34-36) 105-99 at home on Thursday, March 19 in a low-scoring game: just 204 combined points between the two teams.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Pelicans struck first, taking the opening quarter 28-26 and a 2-point lead after one. The Pelicans kept the pressure on with a 27-26 second quarter, carrying a 3-point lead into halftime.
The teams matched each other with 32 points apiece in the third quarter, so the Pelicans remained ahead by 3 entering the fourth. The Pelicans took the fourth 18-15; the Pelicans finished the job for a 105-99 regulation win.
What decided it
The Pelicans got more from their shots, finishing at 55.8% effective field-goal shooting compared with 52.6% for the Clippers. That shooting gap supplied the clearest edge.
At roughly 96 possessions per team, the Pelicans produced 109.5 points per 100 possessions to 103.3 for the Clippers.
The Clippers' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 34-21.
Who made the difference
Saddiq Bey was the game's biggest individual force for NOP: 20 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast on 6-11 shooting. His Game Score of 21.7 led everyone. His team was +1 with him on the floor.
Derrick Jones Jr. led the Clippers with 22 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast on 7-11 shooting, good for a 18.8 Game Score.
Yves Missi (11 pts, 11 reb, 4 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 50% for the Pelicans.
Across the last 6 meetings in our records, LA the Clippers lead 4-2.
The Pelicans are now 25-46, and the Clippers are 34-36. The Pelicans last five before this game: W-W-L-W-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.