NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Jose Alvarado had a go-ahead three-point play on a reverse layup with 31 seconds left and the New Orleans Pelicans outlasted the Charlotte Hornets 98-94 on Sunday night.
With New Orleans down 94-93 after Nick Smith Jr.'s 3-pointer, Alvarado scored on the drive and drew a foul on DaQuan Jeffries to set up the three-point play. Jeffries then threw the ball away, and Keion Brooks Jr. iced it with a layup.
Brooks led New Orleans with 17 points. Antonio Reeves added 16, Kelly Olynyk had 13 and Alvarado and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl each had 12.
Miles Bridges led Charlotte with 20 points, and Smith had 19. Jusuf Nurkic had 13 points and 12 rebounds. The Hornets have lost five straight.
TakeawaysHornets: Charlotte played its second game since learning that guard LaMelo Ball would miss the rest of the season because of ankle and wrist injuries. KJ Simpson, a rookie on a two-way contract, started in place of Bell against New Orleans and in a loss at Toronto on Friday.
Pelicans: Scoring leader Zion Williamson (low back contusion) missed his fifth straight game. CJ McCollum (right foot contusion) sat out for the third game in a row.
Key momentAlvarado gave New Orleans the lead with his three-point play.
Key statCharlotte shot 35.2% from the field.
Up nextThe Hornets host Utah on Monday night. The Pelicans are at the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
