The Pelicans lost to the Wizards tonight for the second time this season in a very similar fashion to the first.  The Pels led only once all game (early in the first quarter), but managed kept it close down the stretch, just couldn’t come up with the plays they needed.  Some notes on the game:

• Eric Gordon looked ok on his return, getting involved with 5 assists. His shot was clearly off (2-8 from the field) however, and he had the worst +/- of the night (-10)
• Tyreke looked healthy as he put up 21-7-4 on 50% from the field coming off the bench for the first time this season.  He was the only Pelican with a positive +/-
• The Pelicans struggled finding good looks for their big men (well for everyone else too really) all game.  Davis only had 12 shots (he made 9 of them), and had an uncharacteristic 3 turnovers; Anderson was 4-12 from the field (3-5 from deep); and Asik was only 1-1 on the night.
• Washington’s depth really showed as Kris Humphries, Andre Miller, and the rest of the second unit really made a positive impact on the game for the visitors.  New Orleans had no answer for Humphries’ physical play, and Miller found people (including himself) in good positions time and time again
  • Washington had 5 people in double figures, another with 9, and 3 more with 6.
• In my pre-game post, I mentioned 3 things that the Pels would need to do, they hit on 0/3:
  • 1) Protect the Paint – they were outscored in the paint again (42-38)
  • 2) Ryan Anderson continues his improved play – he shot 4-12 and only had 3 rebounds
  • 3) Play more efficient offense than the last meeting – well they shot better (44% vs 37%), but they wasted a ton of possessions with 18 turnovers in a slow paced game, a good bit above their season average.

The Pelicans drop back to .500; over their last 10 games they have gone W,L,W,L,W,L,W,L,W,L, and they haven’t been two games over .500 since November 12th.

Next up for the Pels is a trip to Charlotte for a Wednesday night matchup at the Hive.

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