It was over almost as soon as it began. In almost a carbon copy of last night’s demolishing by the defending champs, the Pelicans out did themselves, getting blown out by the Portland Trail Blazers. It took New Orleans a half to get to where Portland was after the one quarter, as the Pels got outscored 43-18 in the first on the way to a 70-43 halftime deficit. For the 2nd time in as many nights New Orleans gave up 20+ points to an opposing guard in the opening quarter, the return of Jrue Holiday made no difference.

Or did it….

The only Pelican to show anything in the first half was Ryan Anderson, who kept the game interesting for a total of 2 minutes when he went on his own personal 9-2 run to start the 3rd. The rest of the team was 10 of 38 from the field in the first half. When trying to focus on positives and negatives and dissecting the game, the only thing that came to mind was “this is ugly,” “ok well I don’t know what happened there,” and the occasional “ugh.” Even when they got a shot you might have liked, they missed.

BUT

The Second half was much better to watch. The Pels clawed and battled a 30 point deficit all the way back to 8 with ~3:30 minutes to play, but ultimately lost 112-94. Ryan Anderson and Jrue Holiday (who missed his first 7 shots of the game) led the charge. Holiday ended the night with 12 points in 21 minutes of action, Anderson with 21 points, hitting 9 of 20 from the field.

Eric Gordon had an all around decent performance, putting up an efficient 20 points on 13 shots. Davis did some Davis things but was ultimately held in check again and couldn’t get it going until it was too late. Although once he did get it going, he showed that MVP potential. He finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds, going 10 of 17 from the field despite starting 3 of 10. He also hit 3 of 5 from deep.

The most disappointing thing (and what ultimately lost them the game) is how lost the team looks defensively after harping on it all preseason. But, it must be said: this isn’t our Pelicans team. It is about half of them with some people picked up off the street and asked to initiate and run a brand new offense and defense. A day after Curry drops 40, CJ McCollum drops 37. Eric Gordon and 20 minutes of Jrue Holiday + street signings isn’t enough to be effective defensively against any NBA level opponent. Damien Lillard put up 21 and 11, and Meyers Leonard seemed to create enough space for an elephant to get an open 3 for the Blazers tonight.

Davis had 25, Anderson 21, Gordon 20, Holiday 12… I think just maybe that a Tyreke Evans, Omer Asik, or even Quincy Pondexter, could have turned this game the other way and been the difference. For as bad as it has looked at times, the fact of the matter is that once again, the main culprit to this team’s demise is health, and everyone is tired of hearing it.

Get well soon Evans, Asik, Cole, Pondexter, and Babbitt! Lord knows we need you. Things don’t get any easier, as next up for the Pels is their home opener this weekend…against none other than the Golden State Warriors.