New Orleans Pelicans Grades: Pelicans Fail To Overcome Warriors

Dec 13, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans center Alexis Ajinca (42) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans center Alexis Ajinca (42) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Pelicans could not pull off the upset against the NBA’s best regular season team in the Golden State Warriors Saturday night.

Tonight was not much fun for fans of the New Orleans Pelicans.

While the Pelicans trailed just eight points at halftime, they never held a real advantage all game. Golden State looked like the superior team all night. The Warriors took an advantage in almost every category and ran away with it by the second half.

Tonight was a game that three key players for the Pelicans did not play. Anthony DavisDeMarcus Cousins and E’Twaun Moore sat this game out for New Orleans. While the Pelicans were able to put up over 100 points, their defense fell flat against a lethal Warriors offense.

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The only injury for Golden State was Stephen Curry. Even without him, their offense still had the precision to put up 121 points on New Orleans. They also won the rebounding battle by 19, had eight more offensive rebounds and 13 more assists than the Pels.

The leading scorer for the Pelicans would end up being Quinn Cook. Cook put up 22 points on 13 shots, to go with three assists. Jordan Crawford would be right behind him, with 21 points on 16 shots.

Kevin Durant, returning from injury, had a great game for the Warriors. Durant put up 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

Next: New Orleans Pelicans Analysis: DeMarcus Cousins, A.K.A. Boogie is King

What’s Next For The Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans will finish their final two games on the West Coast. They begin a back-to-back to finish the season Tuesday night, as they head to Los Angeles to play the Lakers. Tip-off is on schedule for 9:30 p.m. CST.