Favors scores 22, Pelicans edged by Clippers 133-130

Published

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Kawhi Leonard scored 39 points and the Los Angeles Clippers rallied to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 133-130 on Saturday.

Lou Williams scored 14 of his 32 points during a dominant fourth quarter for Los Angeles, which outscored the Pelicans 31-20 in the final 12 minutes.

Williams' 3 with 31.6 seconds left, after Patrick Beverley had rebounded Leonard's miss, gave the Clippers a 133-127 lead and sent numerous fans toward the exits.

But JJ Redick hit a quick 3, and after Leonard ran down the shot clock and missed a 3, New Orleans had 2.4 seconds to attempt a tying 3 that Redick missed off the back rim.

Montrezl Harrell scored 24 points for the Clippers, who trailed by 10 in the final seconds of the third quarter, but turned a steal into two free throws and then opened the fourth with an 8-0 run to tie it at 110.

After shooting 58.5% (38 of 65) in the first three quarters, the Pelicans made just 8 of 21 shots in the fourth as the game slipped away from them.

Lonzo Ball had 18 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for the Pelicans, who were seeking their 11th victory in 15 games despite the recent absence of guard Jrue Holiday, who has missed seven games with an elbow injury.

Derrick Favors had 22 points and 11 rebounds for New Orleans, while Brandon Ingram had 21 points and Redick scored 19.

The teams combined for 152 points in a fast-paced first half, during which New Orleans tied a franchise record with 80 points.

Favors made his first seven shots and had 15 of his points in the opening 24 minutes, when the Pelicans shot 63.6%, including 11-of-21 shooting from 3-point range.

Ball hit three 3s in the first half, his last giving the Pelicans an 80-72 lead that stood at halftime.

TIP-INS

Clippers: Leonard has scored at least 30 points in each of his last five games. ... Landry Shamet scored 11 points. ... The Clippers were without Paul George (left hamstring) for a fifth straight game. ... Los Angeles scored 24 points off 21 Pelicans turnovers. ... Improved to 11-9 on the road.

Pelicans: Set a franchise record for second-quarter points with 45. ... Rookie center Jaxson Hayes scored 14 points and fellow first-round draft choice Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 10. ... Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry challenged Harrell's tip-in over Favors, during which the Pelicans' center was called for a block as he tried to box out. Officials upheld the call. Harrell then made the free throw to complete the 3-point play for a 123-117 Clippers lead with less than six minutes left. ... The Pelicans missed 13 of 36 free throws.

UP NEXT

Clippers: Visit Dallas on Tuesday night in the second game of a six-game trip.

Pelicans: Visit Memphis on Monday night in their last game before the scheduled regular-season debut of top overall draft pick Zion Williamson.