Pelica Debrief
Fansided

Sloppy Pelicans lose final preseason game in 142-101 blowout

By Chris Conner

February 01, 2016: Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) looks to pass the ball during the NBA game between the Memphis Grizzles and the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA. Memphis Grizzlies defeat New Orleans Pelicans 110-95. (Photograph by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)
February 01, 2016: Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) looks to pass the ball during the NBA game between the Memphis Grizzles and the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA. Memphis Grizzlies defeat New Orleans Pelicans 110-95. (Photograph by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images) /
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Welp, at least it’s only preseason, right? That’s more than likely what the Pelicans are telling themselves after getting pounded on both ends by the Memphis Grizzlies. In a game with few bright spots, NOLA showed they have a lot to work on before their regular season tips off Wednesday. With Memphis ironically being their opponent, at least the Pelicans got a feel of what they’re up against.

Before we look forward, here are three takeaways from tonight’s thrashing.

Jrue Holiday continued to look aggressive

It’s almost like he read a Pelican Debrief article that was published this week.

*hint, hint, wink, wink*

Holiday started off the game shooting six out of the Pelicans seven shots to start the game. He attacked at will and finished with 14 points which, was first among starters and second behind only Jordan Crawford. The starting 5 only played the first half, and it’s unknown if this is the Jrue Holiday we’ll see come Wednesday. At the very least, it was sure fun to see tonight.

Both the offense and defense went back to bad habits

One reason the Pelicans were supposed to be better this year on offense was because of how much they moved the ball. They seemed to have left that in New Orleans as we saw several isolation plays, and the ball stick more than it had in either game so far. Defensively, the team looked completely uninspired.

Giving up 142 points is one thing, but on 55 percent shooting from the field is another. Throw in the 53 percent the Pels gave up from three, and you get a gigantic recipe for disaster. The Grizzlies got whatever they wanted inside, and shot countless wide open three’s in route to a performance they might not see the rest of the season.

If the Pelicans are going to have a chance this year, the regular season is going to have to bring consistent communication and effort. (Tony Allen anyone?)

Instant Grits is back!

For a team that appears will have a multitude of stale offensive moments, they’re going to need Jordan Crawford. Crawford led the team in scoring with 19 points on 13 shots and looked like one of few Pelicans with any life tonight. New Orleans doesn’t have another pure scoring guard on their team, and if they continue to play defense like they have, there’s a role for Crawford.

With the emergence of Ian Clark, it appeared as though there may not be a role for ‘JCraw’.  Receiving 29 minutes tonight it’ll be interesting to see if Crawford was just playing garbage minutes in a final preseason game, or if he’s in for important minutes come game one.

Up next

If there’s any good news coming out of this game it’s that the preseason is over, and the Pels don’t have to leave Memphis if they don’t want to before they start the season.

Next: Predicting Basic Stat-Lines For Every New Orleans Pelicans Starter

In an odd scheduling fixture, the Pelicans open their well anticipated season against the Grizzlies next Wednesday.

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