JJ Redick Hits a Game-Winner, Pelicans Beat Kings, 117-115

New Orleans Pelicans quickly recovered after last night’s loss in LA and defeated the Sacramento Kings on the road, 117-115. It was one of the most intense endings seen in a while, but eventually, the guests went home with a big win. JJ Redick scored a game-winner with 1.1 second to go and shut down the crowd at the Golden One Center.

However, the Pelicans were guilty of allowing themselves to reach into a position like this. Four minutes before the end of the contest, Alvin Gentry’s guys were leading 106-92 and held everything in their hands. Yet in those moments, the hosts began firing from downtown, and although NO responded several times, the momentum shifted onto the rival’s side.

🔥 JJ Redick. Game-winner. 🔥#WontBowDown pic.twitter.com/z1ZpllMBOn

— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 5, 2020

With 5.6 seconds to go, Jrue Holiday made both of his free throws to lift the Pels to 115-111, but Nemanja Bjelica proved that he is probably the biggest clutch player in Sacramento, by hitting a three-pointer and getting a foul from Brandon Ingram. The Serb would make that and-one bucket, but in the very next attack, Redick made a 2-foot layup.

It was his 18th point of the game, and besides the veteran guard, the entire starting lineup of the guests scored double-digit figures. Lonzo Ball had 24 and 10 assists with 6 boards; Holiday added 19 with 7 dimes, Ingram had 16 while Derrick Favors had a double-double with 13 and 10 boards. Josh Hart added 16 off the bench.

Tonight’s win was the fifth for New Orleans in the last six games, losing just last night’s matchup against the Lakers. But even in that one, the youngsters from Louisiana showed a great deal of quality and composure.

Nemanja Bjelica 4-point play to tie the game… and JJ Redick banks in the runner to win it for New Orleans.

Final in Sacramento:@PelicansNBA 117@SacramentoKings 115 pic.twitter.com/bHSYfEypHQ

— NBA (@NBA) January 5, 2020

The Sacramento Kings will need to make certain changes because it is obvious that this isn’t the place where they wanted to be. Since De’Aaron Fox’s comeback, and Marvin Bagley’s too, the team isn’t playing well at all, and it appears that all the young lions are limiting one another. The King’s chemistry severely deteriorated when all these youngsters started playing together.

“On our home court, we have to come in and build ourselves a little bit of a lead. We have to start the 4th quarter better than that,” said Luke Walton about the catastrophic start of the final period.

Harrison Barnes had a team-high 30 points, Hield scored 24 and Fox had 17. As usual, Richaun Holmes, with 13 points and 12 boards and Bjelica with 12 and 10, did their part of the job very well. This was the ninth loss for the Kings in ten matches.

They will face the Golden State Warriors next, on Monday, before heading for Arizona to meet the Phoenix Suns the night afterward.

As for the Pelicans, Gentry’s side has two games at home now. The first is against the Utah Jazz on Monday and the second versus the Chicago Bulls two days later. Following that, the Pelicans are heading on a three-game tour through the Eastern Conference, visiting the Knicks, the Celtics and the Pistons.