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Jefferson helps Bobcats beat Pelicans

Feb 22, 2014 - 5:09 AM Charlotte, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - Al Jefferson netted 33 points and brought down 10 rebounds to lead the Charlotte Bobcats to a 90-87 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Cody Zeller and Kemba Walker scored 13 points apiece, while the latter dished out eight helpers for the Bobcats, who have won three straight. Zeller went 7- for-8 from the foul line.

Anthony Davis tallied 18 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks for the Pelicans, who have lost four of five. Brian Roberts and Eric Gordon tallied 20 and 14 points, respectively.

"We played against a pretty good team defensively and we scored 55 points on them in the second half. Our gameplan was sound when we executed it, we gave ourselves a chance to compete tonight," said Pelicans head coach Monty Williams.

Charlotte led by one with two minutes on the clock before an athletic left- handed layup by Walker extended the lead to 84-81. Roberts, however, answered with a trey on the other end to knot the game.

Jefferson was then fouled by Davis with 39.3 seconds on the clock, but only made one free throw to give his team an 85-84 advantage. Walker also went 1- of-2 from the line on the next possession to make it a two-point game.

Gordon drove to the right block after a timeout and was fouled by Jefferson with 11 seconds left. He only made one free throw, however, to keep the Bobcats ahead. Walker then went 4-for-4 from the charity stripe down the stretch to put the Pelicans away.

The Bobcats led 25-17 after the first 12 minutes on the strength of 14 points from Jefferson.

"The thing is, is his efficiency. I mean, in the tilt tonight he's been getting alot of assists also. I just can't imagine many guys are playing alot better then him in the league. He's playing great," said Bobcats head coach Steve Clifford about Jefferson.

Charlotte stretched its advantage to double digits in the second and led 43-32 at the break. The Bobcats connected on 7-of-14 free throws in the first half, while the Pelicans made just 1-of-2.

The Pelicans pulled within six several times during the third quarter, but failed to get any closer in the period.

Game Notes

The Pelicans went 8-for-11 from the stripe, while Charlotte went 25-for-36 from the line ... Charlotte outrebounded New Orleans, 47-38 ... The Pelicans face Washington on Saturday ... The Bobcats host the Grizzlies on Saturday.