NEW ORLEANS — Zion Williamson scored 23 points on an array of power moves, spinning dribbles and even a 3-pointer, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Los Angeles Clippers 120-103 on Monday night.
Lonzo Ball had 18 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals for New Orleans, which entered the night 4 1/2 games out of the final Western Conference play-in spot.
Terance Mann scored 17 points and DeMarcus Cousins added 16 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots for the Clippers, who were without Kawhi Leonard (foot) for a fourth straight game.
New Orleans led by double digits for nearly the entire second half and by as many as 25. The Clippers briefly got as close as nine when Marcus Morris Sr.’s jumper made it 70-69. But Williamson responded soon after with a short turnaround hook and his 3, and Brandon Ingram added a 3 as part of his 11 points in the period as New Orleans again pulled away.
Ingram finished with 17 points, Eric Bledsoe scored 18 points and Willie Hernangomez had 12 points and 10 rebounds while starting for injured center Steven Adams (toe sprain).
Trailing 9-2 out of the gate, the Pelicans seized momentum with a 27-4 run that began with Williamson hitting two free throws and following that up with a layup as he was fouled for three more points. Williamson added a put-back during the spurt, which also included a pair of 3s by Naji Marshall.
New Orleans’ lead grew as large as 17 when Williamson hit a driving layup and jumper to make it 33-16 late in the opening quarter.
The Clippers chipped away in the second quarter, when Cousins scored eight of his points on 4-of-5 shooting, and got as close as six points on George’s 15-foot turnaround jumper before New Orleans rebuilt its lead to 62-48 on Bledsoe’s floater as he was fouled just before halftime.
TIP-INS
Clippers: Missed 31 of 45 3-point shots, with Paul George missing 5 of 6 from deep. … Turned the ball over 19 times, leading to 21 Pelicans points. … Made all 17 of their free throws. … Shot 40% (36 of 90). … Morris finished with 15 points. … Amir Coffey scored 12 points.
Pelicans: Reserve Wenyen Garbiel had a season-high 10 points. … New Orleans scored 50 points in the paint and 23 on fast breaks. … Shot 53.7% (44 of 82) overall and 51.7% (15 of 29) from 3-point range. … Eight different Pelicans players made 3-pointers.
UP NEXT
Clippers: Visit Phoenix on Wednesday night to close out their three-game trip.
Pelicans: Visit Denver on Wednesday night to begin a three-game trip.
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