When Clippers star Kawhi Leonard hit large pictures within the closing minutes, the Pelicans answered with Brandon Ingram, whose current type has despatched his group surging up the standings.
Ingram scored 36 factors, bringing followers to their toes with an array of clutch, mid-range leap pictures, and New Orleans beat Los Angeles 122-114 on Saturday night time.
“If you wish to be the most effective, you’ve obtained to go in opposition to the most effective and also you’ve obtained to beat them,” Ingram mentioned. “That’s one of many issues that was in my head tonight, simply attempting to get this win.”
Jonas Valanciunas scored 23 factors — 15 within the third quarter — and grabbed 12 rebounds for New Orleans (40-38), which gained for the seventh time in eight video games and pulled inside a half-game of the Clippers (41-38) for sixth place within the Western Convention.
Los Angeles misplaced its second straight regardless of getting 40 factors from Leonard, who performed 41 minutes in New Orleans after being restricted to 18 minutes throughout a loss at Memphis an evening earlier in order that he’d be extra obtainable in opposition to the hotly pursuing Pelicans.
“We simply have to offer credit score to them as they performed superb,” Leonard mentioned. “Ingram performed nice.”
CJ McCollum and Trey Murphy III every added 19 factors for New Orleans, which trailed for many of the first three quarters however maintained a slim lead all through the fourth.
Ingram made 13 of 23 pictures, together with 9 pictures away from the rim, starting from pull-ups to robust turnaround fades.
“These are I’m-just-better-than-you pictures,” McCollum mentioned of Ingram’s shot choice. “He’s counting on his talent set and his consolation degree. No matter analytics and what’s thought of a great shot, that’s a terrific shot for him.”
Ingram additionally made 10 of 11 free throws, and has now scored 25 or extra factors in 9 straight video games.
“Simply maneuvering just a little bit, seeing what’s open, seeing what spot I can get to on the ground, not forcing the sport,” Ingram mentioned. “That’s the largest factor: Seeing what’s the most effective shot for the group, but additionally ensuring that I keep aggressive.”
Russell Westbrook had 24 factors and 9 assists for the Clippers. Ivica Zubac added 15 factors and Norman Powell 12.
Westbrook, who scored 36 in a victory over Memphis on Wednesday, had 19 within the first half in New Orleans, serving to the Clippers construct a lead as massive as 12.
Ingram and McCollum every scored 15 within the first two durations to assist the Pelicans step by step trim that deficit down considerably by halftime, when Los Angeles led 56-55.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue mentioned Los Angeles defenders tried to blitz Ingram when the star ahead had the ball, and “he nonetheless obtained the place he obtained with the blitz.”
“It was only a robust night time for us defensively,” Lue added. “After that first quarter, they actually picked up the offensive scoring and it was simply robust to sluggish them down.”
TIP-INS
Clippers: Eric Gordon, who had 13 factors in 16 minutes in Memphis on Friday, was scratched from the lineup in New Orleans due to tightness in his proper hip. … Leonard was 15 of 28 capturing, together with 4 of 8 from 3. He additionally made all six of his free throws. … Los Angeles shot 49.4%, together with 11 of 29 from deep.
Pelicans: Valanciunas has 42 double-doubles this season. He had 50 throughout the 2021-22 common season with New Orleans. … Outscored the Clippers 56-50 within the paint and outrebounded Los Angeles 40-37. … Shot 48.8% (42 of 86), together with 7 of 17 from 3-point vary.
TWO-WAY IMPACT
Pelicans coach Willie Inexperienced made a defensive swap within the second half, assigning the 6-foot-8 Ingram to protect the 6-3 Westbrook. Ingram restricted the explosive guard to 5 factors from that time on.
“I used to be simply attempting to place some size on him and attempting to discourage him going to the rim,” Ingram mentioned.
UP NEXT
Clippers: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.
Pelicans: Host Sacramento on Tuesday.