The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings, 149-129, at Smoothie King Center on Friday evening.

The Pelicans took control early on as they led for almost all of the first quarter and amassed a 40-32 advantage heading into the second. The Kings battled back to tie it up at 48, midway through the quarter and kept it close for a few minutes, but the Pelicans pulled away to take a nine-point lead by halftime. The Pelicans turned it up a notch in the third and pushed their lead to 20, 110-90, heading into the fourth. They were able to cruise to the finish from there, earning their second straight win.

Nicola Mirotic led New Orleans with 36 points, nine rebounds and two assists, in 31 minutes. Anthony Davis came up large with 25 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks, in just 27 minutes of action. Jrue Holiday had a solid night with 15 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and three steals, in 27 minutes. The Pelicans shot 59 percent from the field, including 16-of-31 from long range.

Meanwhile, Willie Cauley-Stein was the high-point man for the Kings, with 20 points on 9-of-14 shooting, in 26 minutes. Marvin Bagley III came up big in 33 minutes off the bench with 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. De'Aaron Fox chipped in 18 points, six rebounds and six assists, in 27 minutes. The Kings shot 52 percent from the field, including 10-of-23 from distance.

The Kings (0-2 will look to bounce back as they take on the Thunder in OKC on Sunday. The Pelicans (2-0) have a few days off before they play host to the Clippers on Tuesday.