Pelicans lose to the Suns, 111-86
By: Eliot Clough- Pelicans Plus Podcast
It’s never fun to lose in the NBA. It’s a hell of a lot less fun being down by 40 and absolutely rocked by a Western Conference rival that now has your former head coach and arguably the greatest player in your franchise’s history leading their team.
The New Orleans Pelicans fell to the new-look Phoenix Suns 111-86 on Tuesday night.
Things appeared to be playing out nicely for the Pelicans in the first quarter, as Phoenix held on to a slight 31-29 lead. Then the Suns bench catapulted the Suns lead to 22 at the half, 66-44. They outscored New Orleans’ bench 22-3 through the first 24 minutes.
“We didn’t play the game with much purpose or energy after the first quarter,” Pelicans head coach Stan Van Gundy said. “They took us out of what we wanted to do.”
And for the remainder of the game, New Orleans looked much like the team of yesteryear — the one we saw in the bubble.
Lackadaisical, unengaged and unorganized, the Pelican’s deficit would balloon to 40 in the fourth quarter, and there was no coming back. It was over.
While fans of the Pels did see some much-desired minutes from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Willy Hernangomez and Kira Lewis Jr., it wasn’t enough for TNT who would ultimately change their broadcast feed to a much more entertaining Sacramento Kings 125-115 victory over the Denver Nuggets — something that doesn’t typically happen on nationally televised games. It was ugly — and New Orleans didn’t have an alibi, that justified the atrocity.
But there were some glaring stats.
New Orleans shot 3-24 from three (12.5 percent). Phoenix shot 19-47 (40.4 percent).
New Orleans shot 9-18 from the free throw line (50 percent). Phoenix shot 18-19 (94.7 percent).
Devin Booker and Chris Paul combined for 17 points.
Lonzo Ball shot 3-12 from the field for seven points.
Jae Crowder was Phoenix’s leading scorer with 21. He shot 5-8 from deep.
Zion Williamson finished with two rebounds.
This one hurts. But, Pelicans fans must be reminded that patience is indeed a virtue. This thing wasn’t going to come together overnight. And, this is a damn good Suns team. Considering their finish in the bubble, the clear advantage they have over the Pels in terms of depth, JJ Redick’s current cold streak, the inexperience as a unit, etc., it’s not the end of the world.
The Pelicans will bounce back, and lucky for them, they will take on one of the most lowly organizations in the NBA next — the Oklahoma City Thunder. While set up for future success with their bevy of first round picks in the coming years, OKC’s only real, consistent threat on their roster is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
New Orleans has their opportunity to bounce back, and it’s right in front of their face.
