FILE — Julius Randle #30of the New York Knicks dunks as Chris Boucher #25 of the Toronto Raptors looks on at Madison Square Garden on April 11, 2021 in New York City. Rich Schultz/Getty Images/AFP
Julius Randle scored 32 points and led a 3-point barrage as the visiting New York Knicks defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 116-106 on Wednesday night.
Randle made five of his eight 3-point attempts and the Knicks made 17 of 33 from long range as they won their fourth consecutive game. The Pelicans made 6 of 28 3-point attempts as their three-game winning streak ended.
Alec Burks added 21 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, Reggie Bullock scored 16 and Elfrid Payton and Derrick Rose had 11 each for the Knicks, who will host the Pelicans on Sunday.
Julius leads @nyknicks to 4 straight Ws.@J30_RANDLE: 32 PTS, 5 3PM pic.twitter.com/3wDMZwOHGI
— NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2021
Brandon Ingram scored 28 points, Zion Williamson had 25 points and eight rebounds, Naji Marshall had 14 points, James Johnson had 13 and Steven Adams added 10 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans.
New York, the fourth-lowest scoring team in the NBA, used a 40-point third quarter and a fast start to the fourth quarter to take control of what had been a back-and-forth game. The Knicks’ bench outscored their Pelicans counterparts, 43-23.
The third quarter featured 10 lead changes and seven ties. Ingram made three free throws to give New Orleans an 85-80 lead with 3:12 left in the period.
Rose made consecutive baskets to complete a 9-2 run that gave New York an 89-87 edge. He beat the buzzer with a jumper that gave the Knicks a 93-89 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Burks scored New York’s first six points of the fourth quarter to increase the lead to 99-90.
The Pelicans got within six points on five occasions, but the Knicks answered with a basket each time.
The Knicks made five of their first seven 3-pointers to take a 21-18 lead, but missed their next four attempts.
The Pelicans took advantage with a 6-0 run featuring one basket by Jaxson Hayes and two by Williamson.
RJ Barrett converted a three-point play to even the score at 26 at the end of the first quarter.
Immanuel Quickley’s 3-pointer improved New York to 9-of-18 from beyond the arc and gave it a 45-34 lead.
Williamson had three baskets as New Orleans closed on an 18-8 run to get within 53-52 at halftime.