Jordan Poole scored 23 points to lead seven double-digit scorers as the New Orleans Pelicans topped the visiting Philadelphia 76ers 126-111 on Saturday night.
Zion Williamson added 21 points, eight assists, six rebounds and three steals for New Orleans, while Saddiq Bey added 20 points. DeAndre Jordan was not one of the double-digit scorers for the Pelicans, although the former Sixer chipped in with 15 rebounds, six points and four blocks.
Tyrese Maxey paced the Sixers with 27 points, seven assists and five steals, but he shot just 9 of 23 from the field. Kelly Oubre Jr. added 25 points for Philadelphia, which has lost eight of its last nine games without Joel Embiid (knee/shin), including each of its last four contests.
The Pelicans trailed by five before going on a 13-2 run over the final 2 1/2 minutes of the third quarter. Poole began that surge with a layup and a 3-pointer before Karlo Matkovic added six points in the final minute, helping New Orleans take a 97-91 lead into the fourth.
Matkovic made a 3-pointer early in the final period, and Bryce McGowens added another a minute later to put the Pelicans ahead 105-95. Herb Jones’ dunk made it a 15-point game with 7:01 left, and Poole’s 3-pointer with 5:20 remaining sent the lead north of 20 for the first time.
Philadelphia briefly got within 14 points down the stretch before another 3-pointer by Poole ended any chances of a late comeback.
Both teams shot below 40% from the field in the first quarter. Quentin Grimes supplied nine points off the bench in the period to help Philadelphia lead 29-24 after one.
Maxey (11 points) and Oubre (eight) were key weapons for the Sixers in the second quarter. Oubre made a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer as the visitors went into the locker room with a 65-57 advantage.
Philadelphia led by double digits early in the third quarter before Bey scored eight points during a quick 10-0 burst that drew the hosts even at 76-76.
