WASHINGTON — CJ McCollum scored 34 factors and Jonas Valanciunas added 27 factors and 12 rebounds because the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Washington Wizards 132-112 on Monday night time.
Washington
McCollum scores 34, Pelicans beat Wizards 132-112
Washington (17-24) has misplaced three straight and was lacking main scorer Bradley Beal, who didn’t play for the fifth time in six video games with a strained left hamstring.
Kristaps Porzingis led the Wizards with 23 factors and 10 rebounds.
Kyle Kuzma scored 19 factors earlier than fouling out with 9:03 to play. Within the second quarter, he was assessed a technical foul, and when Kuzma was known as for his sixth foul, he marched off the court docket and walked into Washington’s locker room.
“The foul bother pissed off him fairly a bit,” coach Wes Unseld Jr. mentioned. “You decide up early fouls, it’s arduous to get a rhythm.”
The Wizards dedicated 20 turnovers resulting in 39 factors.
New Orleans was with out its main scorer, Zion Williamson, who missed his fourth straight sport with a strained proper hamstring.
The Pelicans, who fell behind 10-0 within the first two minutes, took a timeout simply 1:44 into the sport, and rapidly caught up because of McCollum, who scored 12 straight factors in a 2:36 span of the primary quarter.
“That was a tricky second at first of the sport,” Valanciunas mentioned. “We knew that was not us and we needed to man up and play higher protection, play higher offense. We modified that.”
Pelicans: F Brandon Ingram, who hasn’t performed since Nov. 25 resulting from a bruised left toe, is nearer to a return to motion, however wants extra work, in line with coach Willie Inexperienced. “He hasn’t had a full apply but. We’re hopeful that someday on this journey, he can get a full apply in.” … G/F Herb Jones suffered a bruised decrease again within the second quarter and didn’t return. … Broke a nine-game shedding streak in Washington. … F Naji Marshall scored 18 factors. …G Dereon Seabron scored the final basket of the sport, his first NBA factors.
Wizards: G Johnny Davis, who has spent a lot of the season on task with the G League, is out with a strained proper hip. Unseld thinks he may return throughout the subsequent week. …C Daniel Gafford suffered a sprained proper ankle. He’ll be reevaluated on Tuesday.
McCollum sat out Saturday’s sport at Dallas, and the remainder benefitted him.
“I wanted it. I wanted it unhealthy,” McCollum mentioned. “I don’t usually ask for day without work. I attempt to push by way of.
“Generally if you’re fatigued, unhealthy issues can occur. I used to be simply making an attempt to be sensible. I’m 31. I’ve performed for a very long time, and I do know my physique.”
Inexperienced was a participant with the New Orleans Hornets the final time the franchise received a sport on this constructing on Jan. 1, 2011.
“More often than not once we come East we now have a lot of video games in a row,” Inexperienced mentioned. “Every thing I’m saying is an excuse. The very fact of the matter is groups attempt to take pleasure in taking good care of residence court docket, popping out and enjoying in entrance of their residence followers. As soon as once more, you need to do a very good job of getting a excessive stage sport plan, self-discipline for video games like that.”
Pelicans: At Boston on Wednesday.
Wizards: Host Chicago on Wednesday.
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