New Orleans flips a six-point first-quarter deficit into a 63-61 halftime lead behind a 39-point second quarter.
Sacramento led 30-24 after the first, but New Orleans answered with 39 points in the second quarter to take a 63-61 halftime edge. Kings guard Darius Acuff Jr. has 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting and six assists, while De’Andre Hunter has added 15 points. Trey Murphy III leads the Pelicans with 11 points; Zion Williamson has eight points and four rebounds. Both teams entered 0-4, with New Orleans 26th and Sacramento 30th in the power index, so watch whether the Kings can slow the Pelicans’ scoring surge after the break.
Key Performers
Darius Acuff Jr. (Kings): 21 PTS, 6 AST, 8-of-11 FG De’Andre Hunter (Kings): 15 PTS, 5-of-9 FG Trey Murphy III (Pelicans): 11 PTS