NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Pelicans have not given their fans much reason for holiday cheer, having lost three of their last four games, with all of those defeats happening inside the walls of the Smoothie King Center.
Worse than that, the losses have come in horrible fashion, with the Pelicans squandering fourth quarter leads in each game. In fact, nine of their 14 losses this season have come in games where New Orleans has held a double-digit lead.
The Pels are 5-8 in clutch games this season, and 0-9 in games decided by three points or less. During these last four games, they’ve failed to find any semblance of rhythm or fight when the games have mattered most.
| Category | Game (Rank) | 4Q (Rank) |
| ORTG | 114.9 (19) | 106.5 (26) |
| DRTG | 110.8 (4) | 138.7 (30) |
| NET | 4.1 (11) | -32.2 (30) |
| AST/TO | 1.84 (18) | 1.36 (27) |
| REB% | 49.9 (16) | 40.0 (30) |
| TOV% | 12.9 (12) | 15.2 (26) |
| TS% | 57.6 (21) | 55.0 (22) |
| Pace | 96.73 (29) | 92.5 (23) |
| Possessions | 396 (23) | 92 (26) |
The production of the Pels’ “Big 3” of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum in the fourth quarter has dropped compared to last season. So far, the trio is posting averages of 15.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.8 turnovers in the final frame, with an average +/- of -1.96 (51.3 FG%, 38.7 3P%, 71.0 FT%).
During the 2022-23 campaign they averaged 17.7 pts, 3.5 rebs, 3.7 asts, and 1.8 turnovers, with an average +/- of 1.3 (50.7 FG%, 38.4 3P%, 72.2 FT%). That’s a swing of -3.26 in the wrong direction.
Tonight’s opponent, the Utah Jazz, are already 2-0 versus the Pelicans this season. Those wins came by a total of seven points.
In the first meeting, New Orleans led by nine heading into the fourth quarter before being dominated in the fourth quarter and outscored by 13 points. In the second, the Jazz made enough plays to hold off the Pelicans late and squeeze out a two-point victory.
Utah was left for dead after the departures of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, but they have continued to be a pest for the Pelicans, winning five in a row against New Orleans since the start of last season.
Following the Jazz, the Pelicans face a nine-game stretch of playoff contenders that will take them right up to the halfway point of the season. With the fluid nature of the Western Conference, a poor run through those games could take New Orleans from the middle to the bottom of the pack in the race for the postseason.
The New Orleans Pelicans, five years into the Zion Williamson/David Griffin era, are still in search of an identify and waiting for a leader to emerge. Until those things happen, every game will continue to be a coin toss as to knowing which Pelicans team will show up.
That’s not what was expected at this stage of the process. The Pelicans should be better. The fans deserve better.
Is better still a viable option? That remains to be seen.
Most Recent Starting Lineups
| Utah Jazz | New Orleans Pelicans |
| G – Kris Dunn | G – CJ McCollum |
| G – Collin Suxton | G – Herb Jones |
| F – Lauri Markkanen | F – Brandon Ingram |
| F – Kelly Olynyk | F – Zion Williamson |
| C – John Collins | C – Jonas Valanciunas |
Injuries
New Orleans Pelicans: Matt Ryan (right elbow surgery) is Out. Cody Zeller (right ankle sprain) is Questionable. Larry Nance Jr. (right rib fracture) is Probable.
Utah Jazz: Simone Fontecchio (illness) is Questionable.
Who: Utah Jazz (13-18) at New Orleans Pelicans (17-14)
Season Series:
- Nov. 25: Jazz def. Pelicans, 105-100
- Nov. 27: Jazz def. Pelicans, 114-112
- Dec. 28: Jazz at Pelicans
- Jan. 23: Jazz at Pelicans
Where: Smoothie King Center
When: Dec. 28, 7:00 PM CT
Where to watch: Bally Sports New Orleans
Where to listen: WRNO 99.5
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- Pelicans Begin 3-Game Road Trip Against Woeful Wizards
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- Pelicans Return From Vegas Hoping to Avoid Hangover Versus Timberwolves
If we keep running th esame lineups, the results won’t change.
Credit to Naji..Nice couple of minutes. And our big three have played pretty well.
Jonas and Herb have been invisible offensively.
In 8 minutes of play, Trey had one shot…How is that possible. Can willie and staff not figure out a way to get Tray a look?
Is there anyone who you would rather see less than BI to take the last shot in a quarter?
Larry has been great coming off the bench..but we need much better second halves out of Trey and Val.
Trey and Willie just don’t seem to be on the same page.
Val and Trey have contributed nothing to night. And I mean NOTHING. 5 rebounds, 6 points, combined
Better late than never for Trey.. Great games by our Big Three and by Larry.
Willie sends Jordan Hawkins to G League so we can get more Dyson minutes. SMDH.
Willie’s neanderthal 1990s approach to basketball is holding the team back. Apparently, he still isn’t used to the 3 point line.
Still baffled by Willie’s lineup decisions. With 5 minutes to go we had very little offensive presence on floor. Surprised sent Hawkins to G league but at least there he will get some minutes.
Tonight it was so obvious we need rim protection. Scar is a great rebounder but not much else on defensive end.
Glad LNJ back. His defensive presence tonight was invaluable.
Zion is a beast. They have got to feed him more. They couldn’t stop him. When offense revolves around him we are productive. Loved he had 8 dimes. And glad to see Willie has him on floor with Trey tonight. That will be a positive for floor spacing
We’ll see what type of team we are Sunday vs Fakers. Last game vs them was embarrassing
GEAUX PELS!