NBA: Kings extend win streak, deal Pelicans their 10th straight loss

Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis (23) shoots a three-pointer over New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)

Keon Ellis scored 27 points, DeMar DeRozan added 24 and the Sacramento Kings defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 119-111 in the NBA, handing the hosts their 10th consecutive loss.

Zach LaVine collected 23 and seven assists, Domantas Sabonis had 16 points, 15 rebounds and five assists, and Malik Monk chipped in 17 points for the Kings, who will visit the Pelicans again on Thursday night. Sacramento has won three games in a row.

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Zion Williamson racked up 33 points, nine rebounds and seven assists to lead the Pelicans. Trey Murphy III had 19 points, Jose Alvarado had 18 points and nine assists, and CJ McCollum contributed 14 points for New Orleans.

Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (8) tries to make a move against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (15) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)

The Pelicans scored the first four points of the third quarter to take a two-point lead and start a string of four lead changes during the first four minutes. Sacramento held a five-point lead before McCollum made two baskets and Jordan Hawkins added a 3-pointer to give the Pelicans an 81-80 lead.

LaVine scored five points and Monk made a 3-pointer as the Kings’ followed with a 12-0 run, before New Orleans scored the final five points of the quarter, leaving Sacramento with a 92-86 lead.

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DeRozan made a jumper to start the fourth quarter and pushed the lead to eight. Murphy and Antonio Reeves each made a 3-pointer and the Pelicans got within two, but LaVine made a 3-pointer and Sabonis added two layups for a 111-102 lead.

In the first quarter, the score was tied four times before Ellis and DeRozan each made a 3-pointer during a 12-0 run that gave the Kings a 25-13 lead. McCollum made a layup to stop the run, but Sacramento took its biggest lead of the first quarter 31-15.

Williamson scored the final seven points of an 11-3 run that trimmed the lead to 34-26 at the end of the first quarter.

Alvarado scored eight points, Williamson added six and New Orleans started the second quarter with a 16-3 run to take a five-point lead. Ellis made three 3-pointers to help Sacramento open a 54-44 lead.

The Pelican tied the score on a 3-pointer by Murphy, and the score was tied twice more before DeRozan made two free throws to give the Kings a 65-63 halftime lead. –Field Level Media