Pelicans earn signature win over NBA-leading Jazz

Just when many were ready to write them off, the New Orleans Pelicans went out and beat the best team in the NBA.

Go figure!

The Pelicans scored their most impressive victory of the season, building a solid lead and then holding off Utah 129-124 at Smoothie King Center.

How did it happen?

Start with shooting the ball well and taking good shots.

The Pelicans shot 56,5 percent from the field, including 63.6 percent from the field.

Strangely, New Orleans took just 11 shots from 3-point range, making seven.

New Orleans pounded the Jazz 53-39 on the boards.

The Pelicans held normally hot shooting Utah to just 45.5 percent shooting from the field.

New Orleans shot 78 percent from the free throw line.

The Pelicans won despite being outscored 51-21 from 3-point range.

Seldom to teams win NBA games with that kind of disparity.

New Orleans did it by punishing Utah in the paint, outscoring the Jazz 74-56.

Zion Williamson was a man once again, scoring 26 points with 10 rebounds and five assists. Brandon Ingram also had 26 points with five assists and four rebounds. Lonzo Ball scored 23 points with eight rebounds. JJ Redick returned from injury with one of his best games of the season with 17 points off the bench.

New Orleans had a 16-point lead in the final quarter and barely survived.

With 47.2 seconds left, Royce O’Neale nailed a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 125-124.

Donovan Mitchell had a chance to give Utah the lead with 31.6 seconds left but missed a driving layup.

Williamson then made a pair of free throws to make it 127-124 with 29.5 seconds left.

The Jazz had a shot for the tie but Mike Conley missed a 3-pointer.

Josh Hart put the game away with a dunk with 12.5 seconds left and the Pelicans had a huge victory.

It was the first of six straight home games, a chance to make something good happen, including three prior to the All-Star break and three after the break.

Next up is Chicago Wednesday night.

The Bulls are 15-18 after losing to Denver Monday night.

The Pelicans lost at Chicago 129-116 on Feb. 10.

While this was a terrific victory, the path to victory remained the same.

New Orleans must outscore its opponents.

The Pelicans did so Monday night.