New Orleans Pelicans: Loss to Bulls highlights Pels’ biggest problems

New Orleans Pelicans: Free throws and 3-point shots

For a team that is 4th overall in scoring, the New Orleans Pelicans can’t shoot.

Basically, if they are taking a shot that is eight feet or closer they are the best team in the NBA, but anything outside of that and they are one of the worst.

This was once again on display last night, as the Pels were a pathetic 6-of-22 from behind-the-arc for 27 percent. The Pels are 17th overall in the NBA this season after coming in 4th in 3-point percentage just last season.

What happened? They have nearly the exact same team, so it’s inexplicable that the Pels would drop off this much from behind-the-arc.

For starters, J.J. Redick and Josh Hart have been awful, highlighting a bench that has been one of the worst in the NBA.

Even though the Pels have three guys hitting near or over 40 percent, the rest of the team is broke.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the Pelicans’ free-throw shooting, which continues to be near the bottom of the NBA. The Pelicans are shooting just 73 percent, good for 28th overall in the league.

They were 26-of-38 against the Bulls, just 68.4 percent and missed three crucial ones down the stretch that probably cost them the game.

The Pelicans had a nice comeback but it is hard to put games away when pretty much the entire team stinks from the free-throw line.