Pelicans (1-8), Bucks (4-4)
MILWAUKEE – A new starting five produced a new result. A much-needed and greatly-welcomed one.
With an altered opening lineup that featured both Dante Cunningham and Terrence Jones for the first time – along with mainstays Anthony Davis, Tim Frazier and E’Twaun Moore – New Orleans broke through for its first win of 2016-17. Davis (32 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks) turned his usual big individual performance, but he received plenty of help as six teammates tallied at least eight points. New Orleans will try to make it consecutive wins Saturday when it hosts the Los Angeles Lakers.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
Replay review overturned possession of a loose ball, giving New Orleans possession with 6 seconds left and a four-point lead. Fans at the Bradley Center began heading for the exits, with their team’s late comeback attempt finally extinguished. The Pelicans were up 75-60 at one stage of the third quarter, but the Bucks chipped away and created some anxious moments for the visitors during crunch time.
PELICANS PLAYER OF THE GAME
Moore has been one of the few Pelicans off to an above-average start shooting-wise this season. On Thursday, he had a quiet first half, but erupted in the third quarter for one of the best periods of his NBA career. The starting shooting guard racked up 14 points during that stanza alone, part of his 20-point game. His NBA career high for a game is 24. Thursday was the fourth time as a pro that Moore has notched 20-plus points.
