Saddiq Bey and Derik Queen each scored 22 points, Zion Williamson added 21, and the New Orleans Pelicans pulled away in the second half to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 114-106 on Friday night.
Williamson posted his fourth straight 20-point outing, and Herb Jones chipped in 16 points as New Orleans improved to 13-37. The Pelicans took control with a dominant third quarter, outscoring Memphis 35-15 to turn a close game into a comfortable lead.
Cam Spencer and Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 16 points apiece. Cedric Coward added 13 points and Jock Landale finished with 12 for Memphis, which dropped to 18-28.
Memphis was again without star guard Ja Morant, who missed his fourth consecutive game because of a sprained left elbow. Morant last played Jan. 21 against Atlanta and has now missed 25 games this season.
New Orleans seized momentum coming out of halftime, drilling five 3-pointers in the third quarter, three of them from Jose Alvarado. The Pelicans were just as effective defensively, holding the Grizzlies to one of their lowest-scoring quarters of the season while building a 93-76 advantage.
Up next:
Memphis hosts Minnesota on Saturday night, while New Orleans continues its road trip at Philadelphia on Saturday.
