The Indiana Pacers dethroned the New Orleans Pelicans 127-119 behind Jay Huff after leading a career-best 29 points and nine rebounds on Friday night.
The 7-foot-1 entered Friday averaging 8.4 points, but shot 13 for 17 from the field, and was acquired by the Pacers in a trade with Memphis during the offseason.
Pacers’ forward Pascal Siakam dropped 27 points, Andrew Nembhard added 19, and 10 rebounds, while Aaron Nesmith and Quenton Jackson scored 12 each to close out a 3-1 homestand and improved to 8-16 at home.
On the other hand, Pelicans’ Zion Williams scored 27 on 10 for 12 shooting from the field and 7 for 10 shooting from the line. Trey Murphy III added 22, Saddiq Bey 20, and Jeeremiah Fears finished with 16.
New Orleans was now 3-16 in its win-loss record in road games.
Indiana trailed by two points after one quarter and rallied to a 10-point lead in the second quarter for a 73-66 edge at the break.
The Pelicans play the Rockets on Sunday, while the Pacers play the Pistons on Saturday in the opener of a five-game trip.
