Clippers at Pelicans
The Los Angeles Clippers ended an ugly losing streak in perhaps the most impressive manner possible, and they will try to ride the momentum into a meeting with the host New Orleans Pelicans on Friday. After dropping three in a row against teams that had losing records entering the game, the Clippers turned the tables in dramatic fashion with a 113-94 triumph at Cleveland on Thursday.
J.J. Redick scored 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting and Los Angeles had 33 assists on 42 baskets to stun the defending champion. The victory gave the Clippers a 2-3 record on their six-game road trip and they will try to finish the trek with an even mark when they face the Pelicans, who have won five of their last six. Anthony Davis continued his torrid pace with 41 points, 16 rebounds and four steals in Tuesday's 105-88 rout of the Los Angeles Lakers. He has scored at least 31 points in four straight games and continues to lead the NBA in scoring (32.1) and blocks (2.78).
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), FSN New Orleans
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (15-5): The 33 assists represent a season high for the team, and three players - Blake Griffin (season-high 11), Chris Paul (nine) and Austin Rivers (season-high seven) - were the primary sources. Rivers also hit two of his four 3-point tries and he is 11-of-17 from beyond the arc over a span of five games. Redick averaged 20.3 points and hit 12-of-21 from long range as the Clippers won three of their four meetings with New Orleans last season.
ABOUT THE PELICANS (7-12): New Orleans' recent surge has been dictated by the squad's play at home, where it has won five in a row after opening 0-5. As is the case with everything surrounding the Pelicans, that trend revolves around Davis, who is averaging 37.3 points, 13.2 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 2.3 steals in 10 contests at Smoothie King Center. Guard Jrue Holiday matched a season high with 22 points against the Lakers, and New Orleans is 5-2 since he returned from a long layoff to be with his ailing wife.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Griffin has been held under 20 points in three of his last four games after hitting that mark in eight consecutive contests.
2. Pelicans SG Tyreke Evans (knee) has yet to play this season and reportedly is now dealing with calf tightness as he tries to work his way back.
3. The Clippers are 9-0 in games included in back-to-back sets - 5-0 in the first game and 4-0 in the second.