Clippers hammer Pelicans, 111-95

Something had to give.

The Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans each entered Friday night’s game at Smoothie King Center with a four game win streak.

The streak is now for the Clippers while the streak ended as the Pelicans gave in to the relentless defensive, physical pressure of the Clippers in a 111-95 victory.

The first quarter saw the two teams play on even terms in a 26-26 deadlock but the energy and pressure of the Los Angeles reserves made the difference in the second quarter, the decisive quarter in the game as the Clippers doubled up the Pelicans 30-15 to take a 56-41 halftime lead. New Orleans made just 5-of-24 field goal attempts in the quarter.

Los Angeles put the game away in the third quarter, outscoring New Orleans 36-27 to take a commanding 92-68 lead heading to the fourth quarter and the Clippers were never threatened the rest of the way as Los Angeles built a 31-point lead.

It was simply a poor offensive night for New Orleans as the Pelicans were the gang that could not shoot straight. New Orleans shot just 35.9 percent from the field.

The only players to shoot the ball effectively were centers Jonas Valanciunas, who was 6-of-12 with 13 points and 11 rebounds and Larry Nance Jr., who was 3-of-6 for seven points with six rebounds.

Jordan Hawkins was 3-of-3 from 3-point range with 13 points in just six minutes.

The Big Three of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum were ineffective, combining for just 36 points as each scored only 12 points and combined to make just 10-of-31 field goal attempts. More problematic was Williamson leaving the game in the third quarter with a right leg contusion.

When your stars fall short, your team falls short and the Pelicans fell well short.

The Clippers won virtually every category, including a 50-43 edge on the boards.

Instead of catching the Clippers in the Western Conference standings, New Orleans is now two games back of Los Angeles.

The Pelicans face perhaps their toughest road trip of the season beginning Sunday, a five game trip that begins Sunday in Sacramento against the Kings, whom New Orleans has beaten three times this season.

The trip continues to Golden State, Denver and concludes with two games at Dallas. New Orleans is a game behind the Kings in the Western Conference, 3.5 games behind the Nuggets and a game ahead of the Mavericks.