New Orleans Pelicans fall short in tough loss vs. Denver Nuggets 117-97
By Rick Stone
The expectation on the first game of a back-to-back was for the Pelicans to get out to an early lead and coast from there. The first part held true, yet the second part didn’t go as planned, as the Pelicans fell on the road to the Denver Nuggets 117-97.
The New Orleans Pelicans got off to a 14-2 lead to start the game against the Nuggets, however from there they gave up a 29-12 run and the Nuggets held a five-point lead after the first quarter. The Pelicans didn’t get any closer to the Nuggets for the rest of the game. The main reason the Pelicans lost was their lack-luster defense, letting the Denver Nuggets shoot 52.4% from the field, including 45.8% from the three-point line.
69. Final. 117. 73. 97
B. <strong><a href=. PG. New Orleans Pelicans. JRUE HOLIDAY
New Orleans Pelicans. ERIC GORDON. B. While <strong><a href=. SG
TYREKE EVANS. C+. <strong><a href=. SF/PG/SG. New Orleans Pelicans
ANTHONY DAVIS. A-. <strong><a href=. PF/C. New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans. ALEXIS AJINCA. C-. <strong><a href=. C
D. <strong><a href=. PF/SF. New Orleans Pelicans. RYAN ANDERSON
AUSTIN RIVERS. C-. <strong><a href=. PG/SG. New Orleans Pelicans
<strong><a href=. SF. New Orleans Pelicans. LUKE BABBITT. C-
<strong><a href=. C. New Orleans Pelicans. JEFF WITHEY. B-
C-. <strong><a href=. SF. New Orleans Pelicans. JOHN SALMONS
Other Observations:
- The bench unit was a complete disaster in this game. Ryan Anderson, John Salmons and Austin Rivers all finished the game with at least a (-18) +/- rating on the floor. The Nuggets bench just completely dominated the game.
- For a team that made impression not turning the ball over, the Pelicans were extremely sloppy all around. The Pelicans turned the ball over 12 times during the game.
- The Pelicans perimeter defense was the ugliest thing of the night. The Pelicans let the Nuggets shoot 11-24 from behind the three-point arc. Many of Denver’s outside looks were left open with little defense.
- The Pelicans usually dominate the inside, especially in the blocks category, yet they were destroyed in the blocks category by the Nuggets, who put up 10 blocks compared to New Orleans 3.
- The Pelicans largest loss before this game was 12 to the Memphis Grizzlies. The performance tonight was an all-around bad one. How the Pelicans respond tomorrow vs. the Utah Jazz might define the season going forward.