VanVleet scores 27, but Raptors fall to Pelicans for second time this year

NEW ORLEANS (WIFR) - Fred VanVleet was a one-man show in the first two quarters for Toronto. However, New Orleans locked down the Rockford native in the second half as the Pelicans knocked off the Raptors 120-116 Saturday night.

VanVleet scored 11 of his 21 first-half points in the final seven minutes of the second period to give the Raptors a lead late in the half. He knocked down three 3-pointers in the first 24 minutes, but was held to just one field goal made in the second half. That bucket was a three-pointer that gave them a 111-110 lead with 3:16 remaining.

Eric Bledsoe gave New Orleans (4-2) the lead for good on a three-pointer with 42.3 seconds to go.

VanVleet is averaging 17.3 points per game while playing 34.3 minutes per game in the Raptors’ first five contests. Toronto (1-4) is now tied for the second worst record in the Eastern Conference, only ahead of the Washington Wizards (1-5).