Cam Thomas scored 17 points, including a crucial 3-pointer with 32 seconds left, leading the Brooklyn Nets to a 107-105 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night.
Cameron Johnson and Noah Clowney each added 15 points, while Dennis Schroder scored 14, helping seven Brooklyn players reach double digits.
For the Pelicans, Brandon Ingram scored 24 points, rookie Yves Missi recorded his first double-double with a season-high 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl came off the bench to score 15 points.
Trey Murphy III, in his season debut after recovering from a right hamstring strain, scored 12 points. Despite strong individual performances, the Pelicans lost their fifth straight game and eighth in their last nine.
The Nets opened the second half with a 7-0 run to take a 61-56 lead. The lead changed four times, and the game was tied four times before the Pelicans scored eight unanswered points, taking an 81-73 lead.
Ben Simmons ended the run with a basket, and Clowney followed with a 3-pointer, helping the Nets cut the deficit to 85-81 by the end of the third quarter.
The Pelicans extended their lead to seven, but two 3-pointers from Thomas and one from Clowney gave the Nets a 101-100 lead with 4:38 remaining.
Brandon Boston Jr. responded with a 3-pointer at the shot-clock buzzer and added a layup, giving the Pelicans a 105-101 lead with a minute left.
Johnson then scored a layup, and Thomas hit the key 3-pointer and added a free throw to give the Nets a 107-105 lead with 14.9 seconds remaining. The Pelicans’ Javonte Green missed a 3-pointer with five seconds left, and the Nets held on for the win.
Brooklyn struggled in the first few minutes of the game, scoring only two points in the first five minutes. However, Clowney made two 3-pointers, Johnson and Thomas added one each, and Wilson completed a three-point play, helping the Nets take a 21-16 lead and finish the first quarter with a 26-22 advantage.
Johnson started the second quarter with a 3-pointer, but the Pelicans responded with a 10-0 run to take a 32-29 lead. The score was tied three times before Ingram hit two 3-pointers and another field goal, helping the Pelicans take a 56-54 lead at halftime.
