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Pelicans Soar Past Kings in a Show of Dominance at Smoothie King Center

The New Orleans Pelicans emerged victorious against the Sacramento Kings with a final score of 105-98. The Pelicans now boast an impressive record, while the Kings fell short, reflecting on their season's challenges. The game unfolded at the Smoothie King Center, where 18,656 fans witnessed the home team's triumph.


NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 19: Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots the ball during the game against the Sacramento Kings during the 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament on April 19, 2024 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)

The New Orleans Pelicans showcased a robust offensive performance with an effective field goal percentage of 56 and a true shooting percentage that stood at 58. Their scoring was well-distributed across quarters but peaked in the second with 32 points. The team excelled in points in the paint, tallying up to 58, which was indicative of their aggressive playstyle and ability to penetrate the defense.


Defensively, the Pelicans were just as formidable. They registered eight blocks and nine steals over four quarters of play. This defensive prowess contributed to their overall efficiency rating reaching an impressive figure of 131. With such a commanding presence on both ends of the court, it was no surprise that they led for over half an hour during gameplay.


NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 19: Trey Murphy III #25 of the New Orleans Pelicans dunks the ball during the game against the Sacramento Kings during the 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament on April 19, 2024 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)

A key aspect that set apart the home team was their bench contribution which added a significant 34 points to their total score. This depth proved vital as it allowed for consistent pressure and performance throughout rotations.


On offense, assists were plentiful for the Pelicans; they recorded 29 assists which reflected excellent ball movement and teamwork leading to high-percentage shots. Their assist-to-turnover ratio stood at nearly two (1.93), further emphasizing their careful yet effective handling of possession.


NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 19: Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the New Orleans Pelicans dunks the ball during the game against the Sacramento Kings during the 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament on April 19, 2024 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)

Conversely, despite valiant efforts from Sacramento Kings players who managed to keep fast break points close with only a two-point deficit (16-14), they couldn't match up against New Orleans' intensity throughout each quarter's duration.


The Kings did have moments where they shone – particularly when considering they made more three-point shots than New Orleans (11 compared to seven). However, this wasn't enough as they struggled from beyond the arc overall with only a three-point shooting percentage rounding off at about one-quarter success rate (27 percent).


Sacramento also had difficulty maintaining possession; turning over the ball fifteen times which translated into eighteen points off turnovers for New Orleans – one point higher than what Sacramento managed from similar opportunities.


As fans look forward to future games featuring these teams' dynamic rosters full of potential stars-in-the-making or seasoned veterans alike - remember that you can catch all action live or tune into post-game analyses right here where every bounce pass counts!

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