Sharp-shooting powers Pelicans past Kings, 135-123

Beating a winning team four times in as many tries in a single season is extremely difficult. The New Orleans Pelicans have now beaten the Sacramento Kings five times in as many tries this season.

The frustration showed up late from Sacramento fans Thursday night, who threw items on the court in the final minute. That might have been the most resistance by anyone representing Sacramento all night.

The Kings can score with anyone.

The Kings cannot stop anyone good.

The Pelicans are good and they were good Thursday night, plenty good enough to beat the Kings in a 135-123 victory.

The Pelicans led wire-to-wire, marking the first time the Kings have lost a game trailing wire-to-wire this season.

The win keeps New Orleans in the sixth position in the Western Conference, a game ahead of Phoenix.

New Orleans continues to control its own destiny.

The stars made sure that was the case.

CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson each pumped in 31 points, one dominating outside and the other inside.

McCollum was brilliant, making 9-of-12 three-point attempts.

Things could not have started better for New Orleans.

The Pelicans went on a 19-0 run in the first quarter to take a 34-11 lead.

Sacramento responded with a 12-0 run to close the quarter after Herb Jones went to the bench for rest. De’Aaron Fox, who could do nothing on Jones, went off with Jones resting, scoring 10 points in the final 2:19 of the quarter as New Orleans led 34-23 after one quarter. Trey Murphy scored 12 points for the Pelicans.

Williamson provided a scare, leaving the game after injuring his hand with just under six minutes to play in the first half.

After holding Sacramento to 23 points in the first quarter, the Kings exploded for 35 points in the second quarter and cut the deficit to 64-58 by halftime. Murphy finished the half with 20 points while McCollum had 14 points. The Pelicans held the lead on the strength of making 12-of-21 attempts from 3-point range.

New Orleans shot 52 percent from the field while Sacramento shot 51 percent from the field in the half.

Williamson returned and he returned with a vengeance in the third quarter, scoring 17 points, as the Pelicans closed the quarter on a 20-13 run to stretch a tenuous 2-point lead to 98-89 by the end of the quarter.

Zion rested to start the fourth quarter and McCollum made sure the Pelicans were not going to lose it, scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter.

How good has McCollum been over the last five games? Consider the numbers, which tell the story.

Over that stretch, McCollum has averaged 31.6 points, making 30-of-58 three point attempts (51.7%), making all 16 free throw attempts, averaging 5.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.2 steals.

Murphy finished with 27 points, making 6-of-12 from three-point range.

The Pelicans shot the ball great, making 22-of-40 (55%) from three-point range and New Orleans shot 57 percent from the field (49-of-86). The Pelicans were 15-of-18 (83.3%) from the free throw line.

Jose Alvarado and Dyson Daniels were excellent off the bench. Alvarado had 14 points, six rebounds and six assists while Daniels had 10 points and four rebounds.

New Orleans continued its terrific performance on the road, setting a franchise record with its 27th road win and the Pelicans have the second best road record in the league at 27-14.

The Kings shot 54.8 percent from the field, including 42.1 percent from three-point range and it was not nearly enough.

Larry Nance Jr. missed the game due to personal reasons. Cody Zeller stepped in and did an admirable job while Naji Marshall saw brief action.

The win guaranteed the Pelicans at least the number seven spot in the Western Conference with two games left. New Orleans controls its own destiny to earn the sixth and final playoff spot, now a game up on Phoenix in the race for that position.

The Pelicans face the second game of a back-to-back at red hot Golden State Friday night. The Suns are at Sacramento tomorrow night and still have the Timberwolves to play.

TNT reported that Brandon Ingram is targeting returning against the Lakers Sunday night in the regular season finale.

That would be a huge bonus.