The Pelicans lost to the Bulls 107-72 in a horrible home loss, dropping the Pels to 8-11 against the East.  Some thoughts on the game:

• Both teams had very slow starts to the game, the Pelicans didn’t even score until the 8:30 mark in the first.  The Pelicans couldn’t hit any outside shot, which is somewhat understandable given that it was the second of a back to back, but they never got going.
• The turning point in the game was really the injury to Anthony Davis.  With 5:28 left in the half, Davis went up and threw down a two handed alley-oop, but lost his grip and went crashing to the floor, bringing the whole Smoothie King Center to its feet in worry.  Davis left the game a minute later and would not return.  Right Shoulder Contusion was the reason given.  That dunk put the Pels up 32-30, but after that, Chicago closed the half on a 18-7 run, and outscored the Pels 63-36 over the 2nd and 3rd Quarters.
• The 4th Quarter started with the benches being cleared.
• Tyreke Evans and Alexis Ajinca were really the only players able to hit anything.  Tyreke led the team with 15, Ajinca was the only other player in double digits with 10.  It is understandable that there would be some tired legs, but the Pels were missing open looks and layups.  Eric Gordon was 1-10 (3pts) and Ryan Anderson stepped in for Davis and shot 1-11 (4pts).
• In the end, the Pelicans shot 37.2% from the field, 4-17 from deep, and had only 7 FTA.  The Bulls, who, after their slow start, couldn’t miss and got the rim at will, shot over 50% from the field, 10-22 from deep, and were 11-13 from the line.
• Coach Williams said tonight would be a big moment for growth and did the Pelicans ever have a humbling experience.  There is certainly no time to celebrate in the NBA.

It is hard not to overreact to a loss like this.  With Holiday still out and then Davis goes down against one of the best road teams in the league on the second night of a really tough back to back, there are some reasonable excuses to make, but there is no excuse for a performance THAT poor.  I would go back over the pregame and see what the Pels hit and missed on, but there wasn’t anything anyone in a New Orleans Jersey hit.

Next up for the Pels is a home game Monday against the Utah Jazz.

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