Pelicans (12-26), Kings (15-23)
SACRAMENTO – Sometimes the most effective cure for what ails a team comes in the form of deadeye shooting. Behind a barrage of three-pointers Wednesday, New Orleans ended a four-game losing streak, finished its three-game California road trip in positive fashion, posted its biggest margin of victory in an away game this season and equaled a franchise record for three-point marksmanship. The Pelicans knocked down 16 three-pointers in 33 attempts, matching the most treys in a single game ever (NOLA also made 16 vs. Washington on Dec. 11). Eric Gordon led the way with 6/12 accuracy from long distance, while Ryan Anderson went 4/6.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
Gordon nailed his fifth three-pointer of the game, giving New Orleans a 25-point lead with a couple minutes left in the third quarter. It was 90-65 in favor of the visitors by the end of that period. The Pelicans eventually took their biggest lead of 28 at 95-67 early in the fourth. Sacramento made a few pushes late but never got back within single digits.
PELICANS PLAYER OF THE GAME
Norris Cole helped break it open by racking up 12 points in the second quarter, repeatedly nailing jumpers to help push New Orleans to a 59-44 halftime advantage. Cole finished with a season-high 18 points, tacking on two layups and a two-point jumper in the latter half. The reserve guard nailed a pair of three-pointers during a second-quarter surge that put the Kings in a deep hole.
PELICANS UNSUNG CONTRIBUTOR
Omer Asik suddenly has become significantly more productive on the backboards, providing the Pelicans with solid play in recent games. All three of Asik’s best three rebounding performances of 2015-16 took place on this three-game road trip, including 13 boards Wednesday. He has four double-digit rebounding games this season, including three in the past four days. Asik nearly registered his first double-double this season, totaling eight points.
