Pelicans bounce back in Denver for key 107-88 win

Yes, Denver was without Nikola Jokic, a two-time reigning Most Valuable Player.

No, there is no one shedding a tear with the New Orleans Pelicans, who have played without stars virtually all season long.

Yes, it is not easy to win on the road and yes, the Pelicans had an edge without Jokic playing.

No, the Pelicans did not waste their opportunity.

As was the case at Golden State, New Orleans established control early.

As was not the case at Golden State, New Orleans maintained that control in a 107-88 victory Thursday night.

Brandon Ingram stepped up again, as he has for the last month. Ingram recorded his second triple double in seven days, going for 31 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in another brilliant performance. CJ McCollum had 23 points and Jonas Valanciunas had 15 points and 12 rebounds. Trey Murphy III also scored 15 points. The Pelicans won the boards by a 46-40 margin.

The Pelicans shot 82 percent from the free throw line while Denver shot just 62.5 percent from the line. New Orleans won the game from 3-point range, where the Pelicans outscored the Nuggets 39-12.

The Pelicans led 21-17 after one quarter and 50-40 at halftime. New Orleans built a 19-point lead in the third quarter but Denver closed the period on an 11-2 run and it was 82-70 after three quarters.

The 88 points are a season low for the Nuggets.

A 3-1 road trip is just what New Orleans needed.

With the win, the Pelicans improve to 39-38 and into a tie for seventh in the Western Conference with Minnesota, a half game ahead of the Lakers and a game ahead of Oklahoma City. New Orleans is back within a game of Golden State and two games of the Clippers.

Now, there are just five games remaining with the next four at home.

First up, New Orleans hosts the Clippers Saturday, one of the teams they are chasing in the Western Conference.

New Orleans has played very well against the Clippers.

The Pelicans whipped the Clippers 131-110 at Los Angeles on March 25 and the Pelicans beat the Clippers on Oct. 30 by a 112-91 margin, also at Los Angeles. Kawhi Leonard is not likely to play.

Also on the homestand are Memphis, Sacramento and the Knicks. Julius Randle is out for New York right now and the Grizzlies and Kings may not have much to play for. The season concludes at Minnesota and that could be a gigantic game in the scheme of things.

Thursday night was not a gigantic win but it was a big victory for New Orleans.