Pelicans Scoop

Pelicans Come Out Flat and Fall to Clippers 119-110

The New Orleans Pelicans fell to 6-1 in Hollywood after a 119-110 loss to Paul George and the LA Clippers.

Chris Dodson

Pelicans Come Out Flat and Fall to Clippers 119-110
Pelicans Come Out Flat and Fall to Clippers 119-110 /
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The New Orleans Pelicans fell to 6-1 in Hollywood after a 119-110 loss to Paul George and the LA Clippers. George had 15 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds in leading the Clippers to a very comfortable win. The Clippers clinched a playoff spot while the New Orleans Pelicans still need one more win to secure their place in the NBA’s new Play-In Tournament.

The Pelicans played a bad game against a good team at the wrong time. McCollum (19 points) had a slow night but did not get any help from the other guards. Jose Alvarado and Devonte' Graham were 2/7 combined for 4 points. Jaxson Hayes (4/12, 12 points) had more missed shots than Jonas Valancuinas (4/6, 8 points) had all game. 

Green admitted New Orleans could not find Valancuinas as part of their core offense and simply never got into a good rhythm. Brandon Ingram hit only three shots the entire game.

Paul George hit a three-pointer at the end of the first quarter to push L.A.’s lead to six. The Pelicans let the Clippers go on a 17-2 run to start the second quarter and the game was never close again.

Coach Willie Green said, "We didn't do a great job in the second quarter. They really stretched the lead out on us and we never signified our rhythm."

New Orleans continues to have problems protecting the perimeter. The Clippers hit 21 three-pointers. New Orleans made only 11, with CJ McCollum (3) and Larry Nance Jr. (2) accounting for nearly half. The Pelicans also committed 15 turnovers, all but playing themselves out of the game.

"They shot the three-ball extremely well tonight. We didn't make the game as tough as we needed to...They were just a half step faster than us with the urgency they played with...We just have to do a better job forcing guys off the line. We were too slow with our (defensive) movements."

New Orleans has been getting off to slow starts and this game was no different. However, unlike the 23-point comeback against the Lakers or sloppy win over Portland, there were no adjustments to be made against Ty Lue’s team. The Clippers have played confident team ball all year and just got one of their All-NBA level stars back in the rotation. 

Valanciunas
Jan 13, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (17) has a shot blocked by LA Clippers center Serge Ibaka (9) during the second half at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans can clinch a play-in spot with a road win on Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings or a Lakers loss to the Phoenix Suns. They may be shorthanded though, as Naji Marshall left the game early with an apparent shoulder injury.

After multiple slow starts, New Orleans will have to pick up the pace to secure a play-in spot before the final day of the season. 

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Chris Dodson
CHRIS DODSON

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