Thomas Scores 22, Celtics Beat Pelicans 111-93

NEW ORLEANS -- Point guard Isaiah Thomas scored a game-high 22 points, including all four of his 3-point attempts, and the stifling Boston defense held New Orleans' five starters to just 25 points to lift the Celtics to a 111-93 victory over the Pelicans Monday night at the Smoothie King Center.

The Celtics (12-9) led 53-44 at halftime, extended their lead to 81-67 at the end of three quarters and led by as many as 22 in the fourth quarter. The victory gave the Celtics a 3-2 record on their five-game road trip.

Reserve forward Kelly Olynyk had season-high 21 points and forward Jae Crowder added 17 for the Celtics, who held the Pelicans (5-16) to 41.1 percent shooting.

Center Jared Sullener compiled a double-double – 11 points and a career-high 20 rebounds.

New Orleans was led by reserve forward Ryan Anderson with 18 points and forward Anthony Davis with 16. The Celtics' starting backcourt of Thomas and Avery Bradley outscored the New Orleans backcourt of Eric Gordon and Tyreke Evans 33-0.

Thomas nailed a 3-pointer to give Boston a 67-51 lead midway through the third quarter. The Celtics trailed 42-40, but they used a 13-2 over the final 4:38 of the second quarter to take a 53-44 lead.

Thomas was the catalyst, hitting eight of nine shots from the field and scoring 19 first-half points, including 12 in a 28-19 second quarter. Thomas also had a steal to lead a Celtics fast break during their run.

Davis picked up two quick fouls and went to the bench with 6:25 left in the first quarter. He hit his first two jumpers and six of the Pelicans' first seven points, but finished with just eight points in the half.

Anderson scored 14 points for New Orleans off the bench, and guard Jrue Holiday added 10 points and five assists.

NOTES: Celtics coach Brad Stevens said he likes going with a small lineup for short periods but not as a steady diet. "The small lineup spaces the floor and gives you multiple drivers and shooters," Stevens said. "It gives you the ability to switch. The difference between us and some others when they go small is we're really small." ... Boston F David Lee, who missed the Saturday game with a right heel bruise, and G R.J. Hunter (hip flexor) both sat out Monday. "David got through the stretching and just didn't feel right," Stevens said. "R.J. got through the initial drills and just didn't feel 100 percent." ... New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry is amazed at the perfect start posted by the Warriors, his former team. "The most intriguing thing about Golden State this year is that every single guy on that team came back a better player, which is hard to do," Gentry said.