New Orleans — Nets Rout Pelicans 145-111 in Bounceback Win

Brooklyn beat New Orleans 145-111 at Smoothie King Center on Wednesday night, according to the New York Post. The win moved the visiting club to 3-8 on the season, while the home team fell to 4-7.

Why did this team need a win so badly?

Both sides arrived in New Orleans coming off rough outings. The visitors had been beaten by 37 points three days earlier in Dallas, the Post reported. The home club, meanwhile, was still absorbing a 51-point loss to Golden State on Monday — the worst regular-season defeat in franchise history, per the Post. Zion Williamson, who sat out that Warriors game, returned Wednesday and scored a game-high 29 points, but it wasn't enough to slow the visiting offense.

What happened in the first half?

The road team opened a 12-5 lead behind Danny Wolf, who recorded another double-double, the Post said. From there the lead grew to 41 points at its peak, and the team posted its highest-scoring half in years, according to the outlet.

Six players scored at least 15 points — a mark that ties a franchise record, the New York Post reported.

How did Egor Demin play in his return?

Demin started for the first time since an Oct. 27 bone bruise sidelined him, the Post reported. He scored 22 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, shooting 5-for-8 from the field and 4-for-6 from three-point range. He finished a game-high plus-29 for the night, per the Post.

Who else scored for the winning side?

Michael Porter Jr. added 22 points. Julius Randle scored 17 and finished plus-38, which the Post said ties Stephon Marbury for the best plus-minus in a road game in franchise history. Day'Ron Sharpe, Moritz Wagner and Noah Clowney each reached double digits as well, rounding out the six players in double figures, according to the report. The team handed out 30 assists against 15 turnovers and won the rebounding battle 42-28 — notable numbers for a club the Post described as one of the league's most turnover-prone teams this season.

What's the timeline that led to this game?

• Oct. 27: Demin suffers a bone bruise and exits the starting lineup.
• Nov. 9: The road team loses by 37 points in Dallas.
• Nov. 10: New Orleans suffers a 51-point loss to Golden State, the franchise's worst regular-season defeat, per the Post.
• Nov. 11: Demin returns to the starting five; the visitors win 145-111 in New Orleans.

What's missing from the roster, and what comes next?

The team played Wednesday without point guards Nolan Traore and Mikel Brown Jr., the Post noted, meaning improved floor spacing and ball movement came largely from the frontcourt rotation and Demin's return. The Post's coverage did not specify the next scheduled opponent. For continuing coverage of the roster, injuries and rotation decisions, the Post offers an Inside the Nets newsletter by Brian Lewis on its Sports+ platform, as noted in the original story.