Pelicans squander 14-point lead over Clippers before 19th loss in 20 games, 116-113

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The Pelicans’ injury-marred season continued to worsen Monday (Dec. 30), as they squandered a 14-point lead over the Los Angeles Clippers before exiting 2024 with their 10th consecutive loss, 116-113.

The Pelicans have lost 10 consecutive games, 19 of their last 20 and 25 of their last 27. At 5-28 after 33 games, they are on pace for 12 wins, which would tie the 1987 Clippers and 2010 Nets for the sixth-worst regular-season record in NBA history.

Norman Powell scored 35 points and James Harden hit go-ahead free throws with 17.9 seconds left to lift the Clippers to victory.

With New Orleans trying to tie the game, Harden adroitly fouled rookie center Yves Missi, whose 12-point, nine-rebound and five-block performance was tarnished by his missed free throw that could have tied it at 114 with 4.3 seconds left.

Officials prematurely blew the whistle because they thought Missi’s foul shot missed the rim. They called for a jump ball at center court after video review.

Ivica Zubac won the tip back to Harden, who made two more free throws with less than two seconds remaining to complete his 27-point performance.

The Pelicans inbounded and C.J. McCollum shot from half court and hit the front rim, but time already had expired to end the game.

Zubac finished with 20 points and 16 rebounds for the Clippers, who’ve won three straight and five of six.

The Pelicans led by as many as 14 points when Trey Murphy’s 3 made it 59-45 late in the second quarter. But the Clippers closed the half on an 11-3 run.

Los Angeles trailed most of the game and never led by more than four.

McCollum hit eight 3s and led New Orleans with 33 points. Murphy and Herb Jones each scored 18, while Dejounte Murray had 13 points, 10 rebounds and six steals.

The Clippers hit 21 free throws to the Pels’ 11 to weather one of New Orleans’ better performances in the past month. For the Pelicans, hitting a season-best 18 3s in a game still wasn’t enough.

The Pelicans visit Miami on Wednesday.

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