New Orleans Pelicans (1-4) beat Sacramento Kings (0-5) 132-120 at home on Thursday, October 29 in a shootout, with the two teams combining for 252 points.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Kings struck first, taking the opening quarter 30-24 and a 6-point lead after one. The Pelicans moved in front with a 39-31 second quarter, carrying a 2-point lead into halftime.
The Pelicans won the third 39-27 to create some separation, taking a 14-point lead into the fourth. The Kings took the fourth 32-30; the Pelicans held on for a 132-120 regulation win.
What decided it
The Pelicans made 26.2 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 18.2 for the Kings. The Pelicans got more from their shots, finishing at 65.5% effective field-goal shooting compared with 59.1% for the Kings. The points at the line gave them room for error elsewhere.
The Kings did win one battle, second chances: ORB% of 17.5% against 13.5%. The Pelicans made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 114 possessions per team, the Pelicans produced 115.3 points per 100 possessions to 104.9 for the Kings.
The Pelicans' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 41-8.
Who made the difference
Darius Acuff Jr. was the game's biggest individual force for SAC: 34 pts, 6 reb, 13 ast on 13-26 shooting. His Game Score of 27.4 led everyone. His team was +3 with him on the floor.
Jeremiah Fears led the Pelicans with 22 pts, 8 reb, 13 ast, 4 blk on 9-16 shooting, good for a 26.5 Game Score.
Jeremiah Fears (22 pts, 8 reb, 13 ast) and Darius Acuff Jr. (34 pts, 6 reb, 13 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Pelicans about a 72% chance.
Across the last 7 meetings in our records, Sacramento Kings lead 4-3.
The Pelicans are now 1-4, and the Kings are 0-5. The Pelicans last five before this game: L-L-L-L-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.