The Nets turned a blazing first half into an 86-66 third-quarter lead, with New Orleans needing a major defensive response.
Brooklyn piled up 83 points in the first half, taking the opening quarter 39-25 and the second 44-41, and now leads 86-66 in the third. The 2-8 Nets, ranked 26th in the power index, have seized control against the 4-7 Pelicans, ranked 20th. Zion Williamson has 20 points for New Orleans, while Julius Randle has 17 and Michael Porter Jr. has 14 for Brooklyn. After the break, watch whether the Pelicans can slow Brooklyn’s scoring and turn Zion’s production into a sustained run.
Key Performers
Zion Williamson (Pelicans): 20 points, 6-for-10 FG Julius Randle (Nets): 17 points, 3 assists Michael Porter Jr. (Nets): 14 points, 5-for-8 FG