The Pelicans made 59.1% of their shots — including making 6 of 9 three-pointers — in the final frame behind C.J. McCollum, who paced the Pelicans with 38 points.

Tyrese Maxey had 30 points, 12 assists, and six rebounds for Philadelphia. Paul George had 25 points and 11 rebounds with five assists, Kelly Oubre Jr. added 21 points and seven rebounds, and Ricky Council IV added 13. Guerschon Yabusele added six and seven rebounds.

The Sixers still faced a six-point halftime deficit. Maxey committed a turnover that led to a McCollum three and came up empty on a buzzer-beating jumper try. In the first half, Maxey and George combined to go 4 for 16 from the floor and 0 for 8 from three-point territory.

CJ McCollum scored 38 points to lead a New Orleans Pelicans team playing without the suspended Zion Williamson past the 76ers 123-115 on Friday night.

Friday’s 123-115 loss to New Orleans was another example of the game of whack-a-mole that the Philadelphia 76ers are forced to play, nightly with the injury report and on the court with a roster

CJ McCollum scored 38 points lead a New Orleans ... He has sat out 23 times this season. Paul George had 25 points and 11 rebounds for the Sixers. Tyrese Maxey had 30 points and 12 assists.