SACRAMENTO – New Orleans only had eight players available to play Sunday, but behind stellar performances by the likes of Ian Clark, Jahlil Okafor and Elfrid Payton, the Pelicans spoiled Sacramento’s home finale Sunday, rallying from deficits in both halves. New Orleans ended the Kings’ hopes of finishing at .500 for the first time in 13 years, while ensuring that the Pelicans won’t lose 50 games.
Sacramento built a 14-point first-half edge, but New Orleans rallied to within 68-66 by intermission. The Kings again took over the momentum in the fourth quarter, prior to the Pelicans holding the upper hand in the final minutes.