Ian Clark helps mask New Orleans Pelicans problems in win
By Hunter Noll
An Ian Clark surge made it seem like a cakewalk for the New Orleans Pelicans. They had their problems against the Miami Heat though, and two of them keep cropping up. There’s a simple solution to one, the other not so much though.
Ian Clark has been nonexistent in the heavy majority of New Orleans Pelicans games this year. That doesn’t mean he’s not dangerous. While the entire Pelicans team actually shot well (53.4%), it was Clark that led the way. The guard scored 19 points in 22 minutes, going 7-of-11 from the field (5-of-7 from three).
In doing so, Clark helped to mask two major problems.
The first has been going on all season long. New Orleans can’t hold onto the basketball. Once again, they had problems with turnovers (third-worst 15.9 per game this year). The good news here is that the Pelicans cleaned themselves up in the second half.
DeMarcus Cousins was the biggest violator again, as he turned the ball over five times.
The second problem is something that’s been cropping up more lately than ever before. That would be the touches that Anthony Davis gets.
More-and-more often it seems like Davis isn’t getting the ball early in games. This keeps him from getting into a rhythm while denying the Pelicans one of their best offensive options.
I’m not just talking about shots either, there are far too many possessions where Davis is nothing more than a bystander.
Of course, in a game like this, it’s tough to blame the hot hands for shooting. Still, a few more looks for Davis is never a bad thing.
While Ian Clark was fantastic, he wasn’t the only dominant shooter.
DeMarcus Cousins did a little of everything, scoring 16 points (5-of-7) while picking up seven rebounds and eight assists. He threw in three blocks and two steals and took two charges as well.
His partner in crime, Davis, scored 17 points and added six rebounds and three assists. On defense, he picked up four blocks and one steals.
Rajon Rondo went 2-for-3 while Jrue Holiday scored 13 points to go with six rebounds and four assists.
E’Twaun Moore continued his hot stretch, going 7-for-12 for 15 points
Off the bench, Darius Miller did what he does best, going 3-for-5 from three and scoring 12 points. Then there’s Dante Cunningham, who scored five while picking up five rebounds and two blocks. He continues to clean up his three-point shooting percentage.
Besides Clark and the two problems, the big story was defense. If the Pelicans want to be taken seriously, they need to figure it out defensively. On the second day of a back-to-back, they surrendered just 94 points.
Picking up a victory by a final score of 109-94, the two-game winning streak pushes the Pelicans back over .500 (17-16).
Next: Will Tony Allen’s return improve the Pelicans defense?
If this Ian Clark (and defense) can join the party more often, maybe New Orleans can continue their winning ways. More Anthony Davis and fewer turnovers won’t hurt either.