Kings hand struggling Pelicans fifth straight setback / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports Credit Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Harrison Barnes scored 23 points to lead seven Sacramento scorers in double figures as the host Kings defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 112-99 on Wednesday night.

Tyrese Haliburton added 20 points, De'Aaron Fox scored 19, Richaun Holmes, Alex Len and Davion Mitchell had 12 each and Buddy Hield had 11 for the Kings, who beat the Pelicans for the second time in six days.

Devonte' Graham and Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 16 points each, Jonas Valanciunas had 14 points and 11 rebounds, Kira Lewis Jr. scored 14 and Garrett Temple had 12 for the Pelicans, who lost their fifth game in a row.

The visitors committed 17 turnovers while the Kings gave the ball away just eight times.

New Orleans, playing without three injured players -- Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Herbert Jones -- pulled within one point on Josh Hart's 3-pointer early in the third quarter.

Sacramento built the lead to seven before Temple's put-back completed a 13-0 run and gave the Pelicans a 74-68 lead.

Barnes ended the run by making two free throws, and he added two 3-pointers to pull the Kings even at 78.

The score was tied twice more before Mitchell scored six points to help Sacramento take a 92-87 lead at the end of the period.

New Orleans scored the first four points of the fourth quarter, but the Kings scored the next 14 to take command with a 106-91 lead.

The Pelicans scored the first six points of the game and led by as many as eight before the Kings made a push.

Len's basket gave Sacramento its first lead at 19-18, and the margin grew to five before New Orleans regained the lead on Lewis' basket.

Holmes' basket gave the Kings a 27-26 lead at the end of the period.

Naji Marshall's 3-pointer started the second-quarter scoring and gave the Pelicans a two-point lead before Sacramento scored the next eight points.

New Orleans got within one point on two occasions before Haliburton made two free throws to give Sacramento a 56-52 halftime lead.

--Field Level Media

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