Pelicans (6-16), Wizards (9-12)
New Orleans hasn’t played in many close games this season, but came through with a much-needed clutch win Friday, heading into its season-longest, five-game road trip that begins Saturday in Chicago. The Pelicans used a franchise-record 16 three-pointers to outlast the Wizards, holding on for the victory when Washington’s Gary Neal misfired on a mid-range shot at the buzzer.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
Neal was chased off the three-point line and a potential game-winning shot, instead forcing him to dribble into an attempt at sending the interconference matchup into overtime. New Orleans celebrated after Neal’s try fell short, enabling the Pelicans to finish 2-1 on a three-game homestand.
PELICANS PLAYER OF THE GAME
The prevalence of the three-point shot has increased across the NBA. Even guard Tyreke Evans got into the act Friday by setting a career high with five three-pointers. Evans finished with 27 points, highlighted by 5-for-6 accuracy from beyond the arc. In just his fifth game back from knee surgery, he added seven rebounds and four assists in his 34 minutes.
