CHARLOTTE, N.C. – LaMelo Ball had 25 points, Miles Bridges had 22 points and the Charlotte Hornets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 123-92 on Saturday night.
Seth Curry scored 16 points on 6-of-6 3-point shooting. The Hornets had a 27–8 first half run and led 63–45 at intermission.
Zion Williamson had 28 points and 11 rebounds for New Orleans. Trey Murphy III added 16 points and Jordan Hawkins had 14 points.
Dejounte Murray, who led the Pelicans with 26 points in Friday night’s loss at Memphis, sat out with right elbow bursitis and a sprained finger.
Take-out
Pelicans: Williamson played for the first time since a 136–123 home win against Utah on Jan. 17.
Hornets: Bridges (back) and Ball (wrist) are back after missing a 102-97 home loss to Portland on Friday night.
important moment
Curry hit a 3-pointer with 1:55 to play in the first quarter, keying a 12–2 run to give Charlotte a 31–23 lead. The basket started a 27–8 run for the Hornets to put the game away.
key statistics
Charlotte earned 33 points for fourth place, their biggest advantage this season.
next
Both teams are in action Monday night. The Pelicans are in Toronto and the Hornets will host the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a franchise-record nine-game homestand.
Elipa Czech