The New Orleans Pelicans lose in San Antonio, fall to sixth in the West.
By Joshua Lea
The New Orleans Pelicans are now in sixth place in the Western Conference playoff race. A tough back-to-back awaits this weekend after the loss to San Antonio.
The New Orleans Pelicans went into San Antonio after learning that the team’s owner Tom Benson passed away at the age of 90. With heavy hearts, there was still a game to be played. The San Antonio Spurs are literally fighting for their playoff lives. Following last nights game, the Spurs climbed back into the eighth spot.
The Pelicans lost to the Spurs 98-93. Anthony Davis fouled out late in the game which gave the Spurs new life and ultimately led to their victory. However, that’s not the sole reason for the lost. Nikola Mirotic shot 3-of-12 from the floor and 0-of-2 from three. Mirotic was the starter last night, Emeka Okafor came off the bench.
I know head coach Alvin Gentry likes to play the matchup game. I assume he’ll do that on Saturday against the Rockets. But, you have to keep Mirotic with the second unit. He adds the element of scoring with the second unit.
When Mirotic starts, he tends to struggle shooting the ball. Mirotic went 3-of-11 against the Washington Wizards as a starter. Prior to that, against the Sacramento Kings, Mirotic dropped 26 off the bench.
The New Orleans Pelicans are simply a complete team when Mirotic comes off the bench. Mirotic can take on the scoring load for the second unit without hindering Davis or Jrue Holiday‘s shots. I would expect Okafor in the starting lineup against the Rockets.
Saturday’s game against the Houston Rockets is a big test.
The Houston Rockets will bring their high-powered outside shooting offense into the Big Easy on Saturday night. This will be a huge test for the Pelicans. Houston has the front-runner for the NBA’s MVP award this year in James Harden.
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They also have Chris Paul who can cripple teams offensively any given night. The Rockets are a team built for a title run. They have many NBA experts thinking this is their year.
The New Orleans Pelicans are currently in the sixth spot in the West. Minnesota, Oklahoma City, and Portland all in front. Oklahoma City will face the Los Angeles Clippers tonight in OKC. It will be a back-to-back for the Clippers after losing in Houston last night 101-96.
The Clippers are in the ninth spot following San Antonio’s victory last night. Minnesota is set for an NBA TV clash with San Antonio tomorrow night in Texas. Portland is celebrating their 11th straight win after beating Cleveland last night 113-105.
As we proceed to the finish line of the NBA season. Every game has playoff implications. The Pelicans have been shaky since the injury to Anthony Davis in Sacramento. They’ve gone 1-3 since that game. Davis in his last three games has posted 25, 31, and 21 points. Mirotic posted four, 11, and six.
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Mirotic has to play better and his shot has to fall. If that means he becomes the sixth man and comes off the bench for the future then so be it. However, the Pelicans cannot win tough games if Mirotic isn’t assisting with the scoring load.