The Sacramento Kings defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 49-39, on Thursday at Orlando.

The Kings (29-39) were coming off three straight defeats in Orlando, and this was a must-win game for them in the race for the elusive eighth-seed in the Western Conference. The Pelicans (29-39) are a direct rival in that race, so this game was massive for both franchises. The Kings got off to a better start, though, and they scored 49 first-quarter points. They wouldn't look behind after establishing a 10-point lead and, even though the Pelicans put up a fight, they weren't close to turning things around. New Orleans came as close as two points midway through the third quarter, but Sacramento pulled away for good in the final minutes. In the end, the Kings cruised their way to a 140-125 win that should keep their playoff chances alive.

De'Aaron Fox and Bogdan Bogdanovic were Sacramento's best players in this game -- Fox notched 30 points with 10 assists, while Bogdanovic scored a game-high 35 points with four rebounds and three assists. Harrison Barnes delivered 22 points and six rebounds, Nemanja Bjelica had 11 points, and Cory Joseph posted 10 points. The Kings shot 48.5 percent from three-point range and 53.8 percent from the field.

Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram were the best players for the Pelicans, as both players finished with 24 points. Jrue Holiday contributed 17 points, five assists, and five rebounds, while Lonzo Ball sniffed a double-double after posting nine points with 11 dimes. J.J. Redick had 18 points coming off the bench for the Pelicans, a team that shot an impressive 57.3 percent from the field despite the defeat.