New Orleans Pelicans Grades: Pels Crumble in Overtime Versus Suns
By Rick Stone
The New Orleans Pelicans blew plenty of chances for their first win of the year tonight against the Phoenix Suns, as they have now lost six games in row.
For the second straight game, the New Orleans Pelicans had a fantastic chance to close out their first win of the season against a Western Conference Foe.
And for the second straight time, they failed to execute.
The Pelicans have now lost six games in a row to start the season, as they fell to the Phoenix Suns in overtime 112-111.
New Orleans held a five-point lead with just 1:43 left in the game. However, New Orleans could not score another basket in regulation, while Devin Booker buried a three-pointer to tie the game.
In overtime, the Pelicans once again had the lead, this time a one-point lead with eight seconds. However, the defense collapsed and let T.J. Warren throw down an easy slam to take the lead. New Orleans missed the potential game-winner and fell to 0-6.
Anthony Davis led the team with 22 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks. Terrence Jones was the major surprise of the night, as he finished with 19 points on 9-14 shooting, seven rebounds, six assists and four blocks.
Those numbers look fantastic in the box score, but this is still an 0-6 team, whose season already looks in peril.
C-. Tim Frazier did not have much an impact on either end. It hurt the starting unit’s value tonight.. PG. . TIM FRAZIER
C-. E’Twaun Moore is struggling to fill a role that is probably bigger than his skill set. Moore guarded Devin Booker tonight, who put up 38 points and the shot that sent the game into overtime. Not all of that is Moore’s fault, but he was the original matchup Booker started his scoring fest with. E’Twaun is playing well on the defensive end at times, but tonight was a rough outing for him. Offensively, his shot is still far from effective and his limitations are making it very hard for him to help the starting unit.. SG. . E'TWAUN MOORE
SOLOMON HILL. C. Solomon Hill’s impact on the floor continues to be minimal at best. He had some strong moments on the defensive side of the ball tonight, however his lack of shooting is really killing the Pelicans. He shot only five attempts, the second least of the nine players in the game. His 30 minutes was the third most of any Pelican. While his game fit well on defense tonight, his inability to make his shots from deep and space the floor properly hurts this team every time he’s on the floor.. SF/PF.
A. Terrence Jones had a fantastic game tonight, even in a loss. Next to Anthony Davis in the starting lineup for the first time this year, Jones thrived with 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four blocks. He took full advantage of his mismatch with the Suns’ small fours. There was not much more Jones could do, especially when Alvin Gentry sent him to the bench for the crunch-time moments of the game. It has to be frustrating to have a loss next to a game like this for Terrence when the coach kept him from finishing the job. However, it’s another area he and Anthony Davis can relate to. Maybe it’ll grow team chemistry?. PF/C. . TERRENCE JONES
A-. Anthony Davis once again did all he could in a game blown by the Pelicans’ late game execution. Each and every game is growing his frustration. Not a good sign.. PF/C. . ANTHONY DAVIS
. BUDDY HIELD. C+. Buddy Hield was 2-10 in a game the Pelicans needed him effective with the bench unit. Defense was not a strong suit either. Rough game.. SG
SF/SG. . LANCE STEPHENSON. B-. Lance Stephenson continues to be a benefit in the regular stretches of basketball and a complete and utter nightmare in late-game scenarios. While he keeps the Pelicans in games, having him in during the closing moments is backfiring.
B. Omer Asik was big on the glass again with 11 rebounds. His role has turned into a defensive anchor with the bench guys. It might be where he was meant to be all along.. C. . OMER ASIK
A-. Langston Galloway is becoming the marksman fans had hoped for. With 4-6 shooting from behind the arc, he will challenge Dante Cunningham for the best shooter on the team.. PG/SG. . LANGSTON GALLOWAY
F. Alvin Gentry’s decision making continues to put the Pelicans in these situations. Gentry sat Terrence Jones, the hottest shooter on the team, in crunch time. He played Buddy Hield on a defensive substitution in a crunch-time moment of the game. He failed to change the fact his offense was running through Lance Stephenson late in the game. It was a disaster from Gentry in a game New Orleans needed more than anything. His seat will be extremely hot, and only get hotter as the losing streak continues.. C. . ALVIN GENTRY
Other Observations:
- There’s only one observation that needs to be said: 0-6. This is a team that was already looking to rebuild, sure. However, this drastically poor start, especially flooded with games the Pelicans should have won, is testing the patience of all involved. New Orleans as a city is not proud of their basketball team. Anthony Davis’ patience has to be growing thinner and thinner with upper management and the team as a whole. This seems like the worst case scenario for all involved. There’s no more shadowing how bad this situation is. The Pelicans are in trouble. DEEP TROUBLE.
There’s only one way to get out of that trouble…with a win. The New Orleans Pelicans will be back on the road Monday against the Golden State Warriors in an attempt to find that win against the unlikeliest of teams. Tip is scheduled for 9:30 CST.