3-point parade, Zion double double lift Pelicans over Jazz | Pelicans

For the first time in what has been a tough season, the New Orleans Pelicans have won three straight.

It was an early onslaught of 3-pointers from the guy in the no. The 3 jersey that started this one. The rest of the team followed suit.

CJ McCollum knocked down five 3-pointers in the first six minutes of the game to ignite the Pelicans’ 136-123 rout of the Utah Jazz at the Smoothie King Center on Friday night.

“It was big, getting off to an early start and building a big lead,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said. “We kept it the rest of the game. We’ve gone to the opposite end of it where we haven’t gotten off to a good start.”

The Pelicans (11-32), fresh off victories over the Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks, made it three straight in a game between the two teams at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. The Pelicans had the worst record. That distinction now belongs to the Jazz (10-30).

McCollum finished with 26 points, including six 3-pointers. Overall, the Pelicans made a season-high 22 3-pointers (on 50 attempts). Jose Alvarado also made six treys, including four in the fourth quarter.

The 136 points were the most points the Pels have scored this season. Zion Williamson (24 points, 14 rebounds, six assists) recorded his fourth double-double of the season.

“That’s what Zion is capable of doing night in and night out,” Green said.

Finally close to being fully healthy, the Pelicans have now won six of their last nine games. They were 11-point favorites over the Jazz, who were missing most of their starters. Any thought that the Pelicans would overlook the Jazz was dismissed by Alvarado during Friday morning’s shoot-around.

“We’re not overlooking anybody, especially how we’ve started and how our season is going,” Alvarado said. “We need every win we can get. We’re playing them like they have their full starting five and we’ve got to go out there and attack.”

The Pelicans attacked early, making nine 3-pointers in the first quarter to take a 42-22 lead. It was the most points the Pelicans have scored in the first quarter all season.

The Pelicans were without center Yves Missi, who missed the game due to an illness. It was just the second game the rookie has missed this season.

But missing a starter didn’t slow the Pels down one bit as they continued their recent winning ways. Daniel Thies, who started in place of Missi, took over and scored a season-high 18 points to go with his eight rebounds.

“We were heading in that direction, but it’s always great and a confidence booster when you can get some wins under your belt,” Green said. “It kind of solidifies, ‘OK, we’re doing the right thing.’ It’s really good to see the energy with our guys and just keep at it.”

Trey Murphy finished with 19 points, but saw his streak end at 52.

The Pelicans host the Jazz again on Monday night.

“We want to continue to build, one game at a time,” Green said.