Porter Continues Hot Streak, Nets Down Pelicans 119-101
Michael Porter Jr. scored over 30 points for the third straight game to lead the Brooklyn Nets to a 119-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in the Barclays Center on Saturday. Brooklyn has now won three out of their last four games, while New Orleans’ loss was the team’s sixth straight.
The Nets Dominate Early and Never Let Up
The Nets got off to a hot start, shooting over 63% in the first quarter to take a 35-24 lead. Porter caught fire in the second quarter, hitting five of his six shots and scoring 13 points as Brooklyn cruised into halftime up 62-44. From there, the Nets would lead by as much as 28 in the second half en route to the easy home win.
Porter Stays Hot for Brooklyn
Porter matched his season-high with 35 points and added nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a blocked shot to lead the Nets. The 2018 first-round pick by the Denver Nuggets came into Saturday’s game averaging a career-high 25.3 points in his first season in Brooklyn. Center Nic Claxton had his second triple-double of the season with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, and added three blocked shots. Day’Ron Sharpe pitched in 16 points off the bench on 7-of-8 shooting. The Nets won again despite being without second-leading scorer Cam Thomas for a month now due to a hamstring strain.
Trey Murphy III Leads Depleted Pelicans
Trey Murphy III had 23 points, five rebounds, and five assists to lead a decimated New Orleans squad missing Zion Williamson, Herbert Jones, Dejounte Murray, and Jordan Poole. Saddiq Bey contributed 18 points and five rebounds, and Bryce McGowens added 16 points. Rookie point guard Jeremiah Fears finished with 14 points and five assists, but shot just 4-for-16 from the field. The Pelicans were outrebounded 45-36 and allowed the Nets to shoot 53% from the field and 40% from behind the three-point arc.
What’s Up Next?
With the win, Brooklyn is now 6-17 on the season. They are now off until next Friday when they travel to Dallas for a matchup with the Mavericks (8-16). New Orleans‘ loss drops them to a dismal 3-21 record. They will get Sunday off before hosting the San Antonio Spurs (15-7) on Monday night.
