Maxime Raynaud scored 28 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and helped the Sacramento Kings overcome a 17-point first-half deficit to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 117-113 at the Golden 1 Center on Friday.
Nique Clifford added 23 points and seven assists, while Daeqwon Plowden contributed 17 points and crucial free throws down the stretch. Sacramento improved to 21-57 with their second consecutive win.
Jeremiah Fears led New Orleans with 28 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, supported by Saddiq Bey’s 20 points. Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III each scored 13 as the Pelicans fell to 25-53 with their seventh straight loss.
New Orleans built a 55-38 lead in the second quarter with Bey hitting a 3-pointer, shooting 9 of 19 from beyond the arc in the first half, and taking a 66-55 advantage into halftime. Fears had 18 of his points before the break.
The Pelicans maintained a seven-point lead after three quarters, but the Kings chipped away in the fourth. Plowden’s three successful free throws with 2:27 remaining gave Sacramento the lead they would not relinquish.
Raynaud was highly efficient, hitting 11 of 14 field goals and 6 of 7 free throws. Clifford made 9 of 16 shots, including four 3-pointers, while Plowden went 5 of 12 from the field and 5 of 5 at the line.
Sacramento hosts the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, while New Orleans returns home to face the Orlando Magic.
