The New Orleans Pelicans Lose to the Los Angeles Lakers

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Published: January 13, 2016

The New Orleans Pelicans (11-26) lost their fourth game in a row on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers (9-31) 95-91. Lou Williams scored nine of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, including a clutch runner with 18 seconds left to put the Lakers up three. The Pelicans four game winning streak against the Los Angeles Lakers was snapped, and the franchise continues to move closer to the Lakers (3.5 games between the two teams) than the current 8th seed in the Western Conference, the Utah Jazz (6 games between the two teams.)

The New Orleans Pelicans were without star Anthony Davis (the Pelicans are now 0-5 this year without him), while Kobe Bryant, who was a gametime decision, played in 16 first half minutes before sitting for good. With both teams missing their marquee stars, the two teams battled it out for a close game.

The Pelicans struggled to score against the worst defense in the NBA, coming away with 91 points on 41.8% shooting from the floor. The team was able to get good looks for most of the night, and allowed the Lakers to get better looks late. The Pelicans scored 50 points in the paint, 18 points beyond the arc, and nine points at the charity stripe, combining for 77 points in the prime time zones. The Los Angeles Lakers scored 42 points in the paint, 18 points beyond the arc, and 25 points at the charity stripe, for 85 points in the prime time zones (meaning the Lakers only had to make five shots in the midrange area.)

With the Pelicans offense struggling throughout the game, and their defense faltering late (57 second half points), and Head Coach Alvin Gentry ripping into their intensity level, the team comes up short on all their keys to the game. Allowing Lou Williams to make three of his last four shots (after making only one of his first ten) seems to be emblematic of the Pelicans inability to play a whole 48 minutes.

The New Orleans Pelicans finish their three-game California trip tomorrow against the Sacramento Kings.

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