Jeremiah Fears’ career-high 40 points lead Pelicans past Jazz
Rookie Jeremiah Fears scored a career-high 40 points and Jordan Poole added 22 of his 34 points in a decisive third quarter as the New Orleans Pelicans closed out their home schedule with a 156-137 victory over the Utah Jazz.
Rookie Micah Peavy scored a career-high 20 points, Jordan Hawkins added a season-high 25 and rookie Derik Queen had 17 points with 12 rebounds as the Pelicans ended an eight-game losing streak. Kevon Looney also had 12 rebounds.
Fears set a Pelicans franchise record for rookie points in a game as the Pelicans set a team mark for total points in a game.
New Orleans (26-54), which has been eliminated from playoff consideration, finished with a 17-24 home record.
New Orleans went 3-0 against Utah this season and won while playing without their four leading scorers in Trey Murphy III (ankle), Zion Williamson, Saddiq Bey and Dejounte Murray (hand). Williamson and Bey dressed but remained on the bench, as did Herbert Jones.
Kennedy Chandler scored a career-high 31 points and rookie Bez Mbeng added a career-best 26 for the Jazz, who lost their 10th consecutive game with two games remaining. Cody Williams scored 19 points and Brice Sensabaugh added 18 as Utah dropped to 3-22 since Feb. 12.
The Jazz (21-59), who are at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, were without Lauri Markkanen (hip), Keyonte George (hamstring) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee).
The Jazz got off to a strong start, leading 34-24 after one quarter by making half of their 26 shots from the floor and their eight shots from 3-point range. Utah continued to hold a 69-61 lead at halftime.
Poole was the star of the third quarter by scoring his 22 points in the period on 8-of-12 shooting, including 5 of 8 from 3-point range. The Pelicans outscored the Jazz 50-27 in the quarter by shooting 72% while taking a 111-96 lead.
Fears was 17 of 29 (58.6%) from the floor in the game to better his previous season high of 28 points.
New Orleans shot 57.5% from the floor, tied for their second best in a game this season, while the Jazz shot 51%.