New Orleans Pelicans lose a close battle against the Boston Celtics 108-100
By Rick Stone
New Orleans had to play the second half without their star Point Guard in Jrue Holiday.
His absence proved costly.
The New Orleans Pelicans started their five game East Coast road trip with a loss against the Boston Celtics 108-100. Anthony Davis took the reins for the Pelicans all night, with 34 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Eric Gordon had a season high with 21 points on 7-12 shooting night. Jared Sullinger was the leading scorer for Boston with 27 points and 10 rebounds.
69. Final. 108. 18. 100
<strong><a href=. PG. New Orleans Pelicans. JRUE HOLIDAY. INC
B+. <a href=. SG. New Orleans Pelicans. ERIC GORDON
TYREKE EVANS. C. <strong><a href=. SF/PG/SG. New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans. ANTHONY DAVIS. A+. <strong><a href=. PF/C
<strong><a href=. C. New Orleans Pelicans. OMER ASIK. C
C. <strong><a href=. PF/SF. New Orleans Pelicans. RYAN ANDERSON
New Orleans Pelicans. DANTE CUNNINGHAM. C-. <strong><a href=. SF/PF
PG. New Orleans Pelicans. JIMMER FREDETTE. C. <a href=
JOHN SALMONS. F--. <a href=. SF. New Orleans Pelicans
Other Observations:
- The first half for the Pelicans was painful. While the score stood pat at 49 in the first 24 minutes, the Pelicans turned the ball over a whopping 13 times, including five alone from Jrue Holiday. The Pelicans wanted to come out of the gates aggressive against a feisty Celtics team. However, that aggressiveness has to be controlled in order for it to be successful.
- With Jrue’s injury, the Pelicans used Tyreke Evans as their point for most of the second half. Tyreke had a very strong second half and tried his best to help the team fight back against the feisty Celtics. The severity of Jrue’s injury could be huge going forward, and could very well see Tyreke move to the Point Guard role if Jrue is forced to miss any more games. When Tyreke sat, Jimmer filled in at point.
- The Pelicans lost this game due to the lack of hustle. The Celtics almost won the battle of offensive rebounds and blocks, along had seven fewer turnovers than New Orleans. That resulting in Boston getting 13 more shots up in the game. Even against weaker teams, the effort has to be there for New Orleans if they want to make a real run at a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Tonight will prove VERY costly for New Orleans.
- For all the struggles the Pelicans had in this game, getting to the free-throw line was not one of them. New Orleans attempted 37 free throws, making 32 of them. If they can get to the line that effectively, they can compete. Just not when the effort is not there.
- The Pelicans will continue on their road trip Wednesday when they take on the Detroit Pistons. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 CST.
And the unfortunate stat of the year so far: