Valanciunas powers Pels past Hornets for 2-0 start

For the second game in a row, the Pelicans had 3 starters with over 20 points each.

Jonas Valanciunas had 30 points and 17 rebounds and the New Orleans Pelicans spoiled the Charlotte Hornets’ home opener with a wire-to-wire 124-112 victory Friday night.

Brandon Ingram was solid all around with 28 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Pelicans and C.J. McCollum had 21 points. Zion Williamson had a quiet night in his first game at the Spectrum Center since leading Duke to the 2019 ACC Championship, finishing with 16 points on 7-of-19 shooting.

The Pelicans opened Wednesday night with a 130-108 victory at Brooklyn.

Terry Rozier flirted with a triple-double for the Hornets with 23 points,…