On December 31st, Beijing time, on the last day of 2024, the NBA regular season saw the Clippers challenge the Pelicans away from home.
Prior to this game, the Clippers had already won two consecutive victories, ranking sixth in the West with a record of 18 wins and 13 losses; while the Pelicans were at the bottom of the West with a record of 5 wins and 27 losses. Judging from the rankings, this game should have been an easy victory, but unexpectedly, both sides fought fiercely.
Returning to the game. In the first quarter, Jones and Murphy of the Pelicans opened fire first, helping the team take a 13-7 lead. On the other hand, Harden of the Clippers made a step-back three-pointer, completing a 3+1, and then made a 2+1 with a breakthrough layup, scoring 10 points in the first quarter through inside and outside shots. At the end of the first quarter, after Jordan-Hawkins hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer, the Pelicans ended the first quarter with a score of 37-31. In the second quarter, Powell's excellent performance helped the Clippers overtake the score. However, the Pelicans were not willing to give up, as McCollum, Jones, and Murphy exploded again, leading to a 14-0 run that once expanded the gap to 14 points. In the latter half of the quarter, Powell and Dunn of the Clippers continued to attack inside and out, helping the Clippers close the halftime score to 56-62.
After the halftime break, McCollum started with two three-pointers to help the team expand the lead. After switching sides, Harden attacked inside and out, making three three-pointers from outside the line, totaling 13 points, helping the team tie the score. At the end of the third quarter, McCollum hit another three-pointer from long range, and the Pelicans entered the decisive quarter with a 90-87 lead.
In the decisive quarter, Zubac and Powell started strong, combining for 18 points to help the team catch up to 105-106. Fortunately, the Pelicans had CJ's mid-range shot to stabilize the situation in time. In the last 3 minutes of the fourth quarter, the Clippers overtook the score under Powell's relentless offensive. With 18 seconds left, a dramatic scene unfolded as Murray stole the ball from Jones and attempted a dunk, but the referee ruled the goal invalid due to a defensive foul by Murray. The Pelicans' challenge failed, and Harden helped the Clippers take a 2-point lead through free throws. With 4.3 seconds left, Misi caused a foul on Harden and went to the free throw line, making one of two free throws, resulting in a jump ball call. The Clippers gained possession, and Harden made two more free throws. Ultimately, the Clippers narrowly defeated the Pelicans 116-113.
Game statistics:
Clippers: Powell 35 points, 2 steals; Harden 27 points, 4 assists, 7 turnovers; Zubac 20 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists; Derrick Jones 11 points, 2 steals; Dunn 7 points, 7 assists, 2 steals.
Pelicans: McCollum 33 points, 4 assists; Murphy 18 points, 6 assists, 3 steals; Herbert Jones 18 points, 5 assists, 2 steals; Misi 12 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 blocks; Murray 13 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 6 steals.