Just like in the first quarter-final of the NBA Cup, won by Indiana against Boston, it was the lowest ranked team that won in the second duel of the night: the Pelicans, 8th in the West, went to win in Sacramento, 4th, also with a ten-point lead (127-117).
After a first quarter dominated by the Kings, who were up to 15 points ahead (32-17) before seeing their lead disappear (36-35), the Pelicans took the reins of the match and did not have let go more. They had up to 15 points in advance, in the third quarter (87-72) then during the last period (120-105). A team victory for New Orleans, with 29 assists, 42 rebounds, six players with more than ten points, in the wake of Brandon Ingram (30 points), and better skill than their opponent (54% at 2 points, 45.2% at 3 points).
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