Pelica Debrief
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New Orleans Pelicans Grades: Pelicans can’t complete the comeback

By Nathan Heck

Mar 9, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) drives to the basket as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) during the second half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets won 122-113. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) drives to the basket as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) during the second half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets won 122-113. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New Orleans Pelicans could not complete the second come back in as many games, and they fell to the Charlotte Hornets 122-113.

The New Orleans Pelicans started out giving the Charlotte Hornets anything they wanted from deep, and they were outscored by 11 points in the first quarter. After that low point, though, the Pelicans battled all the way back to tie the game up with three minutes remaining. Unfortunately, the Pelicans were unable to execute down the stretch to secure the victory.

Orlando Johnson, who was just signed to a 10 day contract, started in place of the injured Norris Cole, and the Pelicans were shorthanded all night. The Pelicans essentially competed with just eight players as Omer Asik played a meager six minutes.

170. 113. 69. Final. 122

PG. New Orleans Pelicans. JRUE HOLIDAY. A. <a href=

SG. New Orleans Pelicans. ORLANDO JOHNSON. F. To say it wasn’t a great first game for Orlando Johnson would be an understatement. The most condemning stat for Johnson was his horrendous -20 plus/minus mark. He was on the floor for the majority of the awful first quarter, and the Pelicans will need to see more from him over the next few days to keep him around.

D. <a href=. SF/PF. New Orleans Pelicans. DANTE CUNNINGHAM

New Orleans Pelicans. ANTHONY DAVIS. A+. This just in: <a href=. PF/C

F. Even though he only played six minutes, Omer Asik gets an F instead of an incomplete because of how poorly he played in those six minutes. On offense, he stood around on the three point line instead of working within the unit and he was abused on the defensive end. The Pelicans need him to return to the form he was displaying before the ankle injury. . C. New Orleans Pelicans. OMER ASIK

F. <a href=. PF. New Orleans Pelicans. RYAN ANDERSON

C. <a href=. SF. New Orleans Pelicans. ALONZO GEE

B. <a href=. C. New Orleans Pelicans. KENDRICK PERKINS

New Orleans Pelicans. TONEY DOUGLAS. A. <a href=. PG/SG

Next: Awards

Other observations:

  • In the post-game interview, Alvin Gentry claimed the team did not play Omer Asik due to mismatches with the Hornets’ lineup. That sounds all well and good, but Omer Asik looks completely out of sorts since returning from his ankle injury.
  • The Pelicans played with effort all night, but the team simply lacks talent right now. Only three players scored in double figures, and those three players (Davis, Holiday and Douglas) scored 94 of the Pelicans’ 113 points. It is extremely difficult to win games with so few offensive options.
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