Paul George scored 28 points and led a 3-point barrage as the Los Angeles Clippers routed the New Orleans Pelicans 126-103 on Saturday near Orlando.The Clippers (45-21) tied a franchise record for 3-pointers made in a half when they hit 16-of-24 on their way to a 77-45 halftime lead. They were one 3-pointer shy of the NBA record for a first half.They finished 25 of 47, falling short of the Golden State Warriors’ NBA record 27 3-pointers in a game.The 32-point halftime deficit was the largest in franchise history for the Pelicans (28-38), who saw their playoff hopes continue to fade.L.A. led by as many as 42 points in the third quarter and finished the period with a 103-66 cushion.George made 8 of 11 3-pointers and missed all six of his two-point shots. Kawhi Leonard scored 24 points and Reggie Jackson came off the bench to add 15. George and Leonard went to the bench for good with 1:04 left in the third quarter.Rookie Nickeil Alexander-Walker led New Orleans with 15 points, Brandon Ingram scored 14 points, Derrick Favors had 12 and JJ Redick and Frank Jackson each added 11.Rookie Zion Williamson, who is on a minutes restriction after missing 13 days of training while tending to a family emergency, had seven points and five rebounds in 14 minutes.The Clippers set the tone for the 3-point shooting right from the outset.Patrick Beverley scored the game’s first points when he made a 3-pointer and George followed by making three consecutive 3-pointers in a span of 1:06 as L.A. raced to a 12-2 lead.Leonard scored the Clippers’ first two-point basket on a 20-foot jumper before he and Beverley each made a 3-pointer.L.A. took a 22-8 lead as 18 of its points came on 3-pointers and it rolled to a 37-25 lead at the end of the first quarter.The Clippers continued the long-range sharp-shooting as six of the nine players who entered the game in the first half made multiple 3-pointers.
