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Angel Todorov
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Pelicans beat Kings 105-98 in West play-in finale in New Orleans
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New Orleans defeated Sacramento for the 6th straight time this season.

Brandon Ingram notched 24 points, and Jonas Valanciunas scored 19 and grabbed 12 boards, and the New Orleans Pelicans won against the Sacramento Kings 105-98 at Smoothie King Center to secure their place in the NBA postseason.

New Orleans triumphed without leading-scorer Zion Williamson, who sustained a hamstring injury as he reached the 40-point mark in a play-in defeat against the LA Lakers a few days ago.

The Pelicans improved to 8-5 this campaign without Zion on the court. Six basketballers notched 10 or more points, including reserves Larry Nance Jr., Naji Marshall, and Jose Alvarado.

Trey Murphy III, who replaced Zion in the starting lineup, finished with 16 points.

De’Aaron Fox notched 35 points for the Kings, and Domantas Sabonis finished with 23 points and 14 boards.

The match was a test for New Orleans after the team squandered 2 previous chances to lock up a postseason berth at their venue.

The Pelicans improved to 6-0 against the Kings this campaign, becoming the 1st organization to go 6-0 in a campaign (without a postseason matchup) against an opponent since the Nuggets against the TimberWolves in 1994-95.