DETROIT — Ron Holland II delivered an impressive performance by scoring 14 out of his season-high 26 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Detroit Pistons to a triumphant 136-130 victory over CJ McCollum and the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday.
McCollum put on an excellent show with 40 points and seven assists for the Pelicans. However, it was Holland’s contribution that enabled the Pistons to outpace the Pelicans with a 43-39 scoring advantage in the final period, securing their third win in four games.
Contributing to the Pistons’ success, Jalen Duren recorded 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. The team managed to clinch the victory despite the absence of their All-Star point guard Cade Cunningham, who was sidelined with a calf injury. Another standout was Marcus Sasser, like Holland, who came off the bench to add 20 points to the Pistons’ tally.
Meanwhile, for the Pelicans, Jordan Hawkins stood out by scoring 25 points, including six 3-pointers. This game in Detroit was a stark contrast to their previous encounter, where the Pistons had significantly dominated and defeated them 127-81 in New Orleans earlier in the week.
**Takeaways**
– Pelicans: Despite missing Zion Williamson, the Pelicans offered a robust offensive effort. Their teamwork was notable, with Kelly Olynyk, Jose Alvarado, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl each providing eight assists, marking a first in Pelicans’ history with four players each having at least seven assists.
– Pistons: They started their three-game homestand on a strong note, moving to within a game of the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, currently held by Milwaukee.
**Key Moment**
Holland shone brightly, making all five of his shot attempts while playing nearly the entire final quarter, missing just two seconds.
**Key Stat**
Both teams showed exceptional shooting accuracy in the fourth quarter, each making 13 out of 20 attempts (65%), contributing to the high-scoring nature of the final period.
**Up Next**
The Pelicans are set to host Philadelphia on Monday, while Detroit will welcome San Antonio on Tuesday.