NEW YORK (AP) — Trendon Watford scored 22 points, Drew Timme had 16 points and nine rebounds off the bench and the Brooklyn Nets beat the New Orleans Pelicans 119-114 on Tuesday night to snap a five-game home losing streak.
With 4:06 left in the third quarter, Timme sealed a three-point play, giving the Nets their first double-digit advantage of the game at 83-71.
The Pelicans mounted a comeback. With 1:29 remaining, Antonio Reeves executed a reverse layup while drawing contact and converted the ensuing free throw to narrow New Orleans' deficit to 116-109. Following a missed shot by Timme, Reeves nailed a three-point field goal at 53.1 seconds, bringing his team within four points.
However, Tosan Evbuomwan clinched it with a three-point shot from the opposite side with only 35 seconds remaining.
In the first half, Dariq Whitehead contributed 12 out of his total 14 points towards Brooklyn’s score (with a record of 26 wins and 53 losses). Both Evbuomwan and Nic Claxton managed to secure 13 points apiece, Maxwell Lewis added 12, and Tyson Etienne got 11. Reece Beekman recorded an impressive career-best 10 assists against only one turnover.
Karlo and Reeves Matkovic both notched 17 points for New Orleans (21-58). Jose Alvarado contributed an additional 16 points, Jamal Cain scored 15, and Keion Brooks Jr. chipped in with 14. Elfrid Payton ended up with 10 assists.
New Orleans has dropped their fourth consecutive road match and stands at 7-33 when playing away from home.
Takeaways
The lottery-bound Pelicans, experiencing their poorest performance in two decades, have sidelined seven out of their top eight leading scorers due to long-term injuries, notably including Zion Williamson.
The Nets: Brooklyn has accomplished a season sweep of New Orleans for the first time since the 2021-22 season.
Key moment
The Nets managed to score 43 points in the third quarter, which allowed them to break away from their opponents. This was the highest number of points they have scored in a single quarter all season.
Key stat
Brooklyn hit 17 out of 40 three-point shots, including Dariq Whitehead who made 4 of his first-half tries from beyond the arc.
Up next
On Thursday, both squads take the court. The New Orleans team carries on with their away series in Milwaukee, whereas the Brooklyn Nets welcome the Atlanta Hawks at home.
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The Associated Press