New Orleans Pelicans: Game grades for loss to Washington Wizards
Despite playing pretty terribly through most of Saturday night’s game against the Washington Wizards, the New Orleans Pelicans had a chance to send a road game to overtime on the final possession. But the team failed to execute and get a good shot and Tyreke Evans missed a contested fadeaway three at the buzzer as the Pelicans lost their third consecutive game and fourth out of their last five, 83-80 to the Wizards.
142. 80. 69. Final. 83
PG. New Orleans Pelicans. JRUE HOLIDAY. B+. I was a fan of what <strong><a href=
D. Tyreke Evans finished 2-15 from the floor which just won’t cut it for the Pelicans. The four assists and four steals were nice but Evans was lost more often than not on defense. It was just a disaster game for a guy the Pelicans need to contribute night in and night out. . SF/PG/SG. New Orleans Pelicans. TYREKE EVANS
ANTHONY DAVIS. A. 30 points, 13 rebounds and a steal. <strong><a href=. PF/C. New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans. OMER ASIK. D. <strong><a href=. C
C-. It was a rough night for <strong><a href=. PF/SF. New Orleans Pelicans. RYAN ANDERSON
F. At least he made a field goal? <strong><a href=. PG/SG. New Orleans Pelicans. AUSTIN RIVERS
New Orleans Pelicans. JOHN SALMONS. B. <strong><a href=. SF
B. I liked what <strong><a href=. SF. New Orleans Pelicans. LUKE BABBITT
ALEXIS AJINCA. F. The F stands for foul. As always <strong><a href=. F. New Orleans Pelicans
Other observations:
- The Pelicans right now need Ryan Anderson, Anthony Davis, Tyreke Evans and Jrue Holiday to basically play their opponents entire team even on most nights so any bench points the Pelicans get can push them over the top. Tonight only two of those four played well and it hurt the Pelicans in a close game.
- In a three point game, the Pelicans missed seven free throws, which really hurts. Asik, Babbitt and Davis each missed one and Rivers and Anderson each missed two. The Pelicans expect Davis and Anderson to make basically all their FT attempts so three misses from those two in a three point game is super disappointing.
- The last play was just a disaster. It looked like the original plan was a handoff to Evans but once that didn’t happen the Pelicans just kind of panicked and they never stood a chance at getting a good look. This team should execute better than that at this point and the fact they don’t rests on both Monty Williams and the players.
- The Pelicans get back to the court on Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder who just welcomed back Russell Westbrook and could reportedly be welcoming back Kevin Durant. So things aren’t getting any easier.