VICTOR Wembanyama scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half and made a crucial block on Herb Jones’ shot in the final seconds to lift the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-109 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Wembanyama and the Spurs overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to send the badly beaten Pelicans to their fourth straight home loss. The Spurs have lost seven straight in their series with New Orleans.
Wembanyama also had 12 rebounds and nine assists. The Spurs had 34 assists, their franchise-record 42nd of the season with at least 30 assists.
“It’s a (facilitating) role that I knew was always in me, really, but it was difficult, being young, obviously,” Wembanyama said.
“I’m happy how we’re developing. I can’t be a complete player if I don’t make my teammates better. If that comes in the form of assists, that’s great,” he added.
In the other game Payton Pritchard scored 21 points, including five 3-pointers and the Boston Celtics held off a late charge to beat the Sacramento Kings 101-100.
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Kristaps Porzingis added 20 points and 11 rebounds to help the NBA’s top team to its 12th straight win at home after holding home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. They have won 13 of their last 15 games.
De’Aaron Fox scored 40 points for the Kings and hit a 26-pointer with 27 seconds left. But after Celtics reserve Xavier Tillman put Boston back in front, Fox missed a jumper – one of three potential game-winning opportunities for the Kings in the final 7 seconds as the Celtics held on.
Boston coach Joe Mazzulla rested his starters in the fourth quarter and let his reserves play in the final minutes.
“It was good for our team chemistry, moments like that. And seeing Joe so fired up on the sidelines. That was really cool. Great win for us,” Porzingis said.
Domantas Sabonis added 16 points and 16 rebounds for the Kings, who have lost four of their last six games as they try to avoid a berth in the play-in tournament. (NBA/Ndf/Z-7)
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