Raynaud scores 28 points, helping the Kings defeat the Pelicans
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Rookie Maxime Raynaud scored 28 points as the Sacramento Kings rallied from a 17-point first-half deficit to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 117-113 on Friday night.
Raynaud shot 11 of 14 from the field and hit six of seven free throws. He also recorded eight rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.
Nique Clifford contributed 23 points and seven assists, while Daeqwon Plowden scored 17 points. The Kings have won two in a row, bringing their record to 21-57, while New Orleans has dropped seven consecutive, dropping to 25-53.
For the Pelicans, Jeremiah Fears scored 28 points, pulled down eight rebounds, and assisted six times. Saddiq Bey led the scoring effort with 20 points, while Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III each contributed 13 points.
At 4:25 in the second quarter, Bey hit a 3-pointer to give the Pelicans a 55-38 lead. In the first 24 minutes, New Orleans made 9 of 19 three-pointers and led 66-55 at halftime. Fears had 18 points in the half.
The Pelicans led by seven points after three quarters, but the Kings took the lead with Daeqwon Plowden’s three free throws with 2:27 left.
Pelicans will host Orlando on Sunday night.
The Kings will host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night.