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Pelicans edge Nets in battle of playoff hopefuls

Derick E. Hingle / USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans, LA - Quincy Pondexter netted 25 points, Tyreke Evans added 15 points and 11 assists and the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Brooklyn Nets 102-96 on Wednesday night.

Omer Asik posted 12 points and 13 rebounds for the Pelicans, who have won three straight on the heels of a four-game losing streak.

Joe Johnson supplied 21 points and 10 boards, while Thaddeus Young provided 19 points off the bench for Brooklyn, which has dropped four of its last six contests.

After Alan Anderson's 3-pointer cut the Brooklyn deficit to 81-80 with 9:15 remaining, the Pelicans answered with a 12-2 run to surge in front. Luke Babbitt nailed a pair of triples during the burst, which Evans capped with a reverse layup for a 93-82 cushion with 4:49 remaining.

The Nets never got within less than five the rest of the way.

Earlier, Pondexter netted six quick points as New Orleans raced out to a 15-4 start before leading 27-21 following a quarter of play.

Brook Lopez finished off a 12-4 Brooklyn swing with a short jumper and putback to get it within 34-33 at the 7:38 mark of the second. Norris Cole knocked down a trey in the waning seconds of the frame to stake New Orleans to a 53-50 edge at the break.

The Pelicans took a 76-73 margin into the fourth.

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