The Los Angeles Clippers snapped a three-game skid in emphatic fashion Sunday night, cruising past the New Orleans Pelicans 137-117.
Kawhi Leonard led the way with 23 points as the Clippers (28-31) — currently 10th in the Western Conference — controlled the game from start to finish. Los Angeles never trailed, jumping out to a 43-32 lead after one quarter and taking a 76-70 edge into halftime. The Clippers pushed the margin to 107-94 after three and ballooned it to as many as 26 in the fourth.
Leonard struggled from deep (1-for-7), but Los Angeles knocked down 17 of 36 shots from 3-point range overall. Brook Lopez hit 4 of 6 from beyond the arc, while Derrick Jones Jr. and Kobe Sanders each went 3 for 4. Jordan Miller added 19 points, Jones scored 17, Lopez finished with 16 and John Collins contributed 15 in a balanced offensive effort.
The Pelicans (19-43), 13th in the West, were without star forward Zion Williamson, who sat out after injuring his right ankle Saturday at Utah. Williamson had played a career-high 35 consecutive games before the setback.
Jeremiah Fears led New Orleans with 28 points, connecting on 5 of 6 from 3-point range. Derik Queen added 19 points, Dejounte Murray scored 17 and Trey Murphy III chipped in 16 in his return after missing five games with a right shoulder injury.
Up next: The Pelicans visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, while the Clippers head to face the Golden State Warriors on Monday night.
