NEW ORLEANS – Willie Green entered Monday night’s game with a 10-2 record against the Los Angeles Clippers, his best mark against any team. Unfortunately for Green and the Pelicans, that dominance over the Clippers didn’t continue.
In perhaps their best performance in recent weeks, New Orleans led by as many as 14 points, but couldn’t hold on, losing to Los Angeles 116-113, sending the Pelicans to their 10th consecutive loss. The Pels have 19 of their last 20 games.
CJ McCollum scored 33 points to lead five players in double figures, his second consecutive 30-point game. McCollum made eight of his 14 three-pointers, the fifth time he’s made at least eight with the Pelicans.
Herb Jones and Trey Murphy scored 18 points each, Dejounte Murray filled the stat sheet with 13 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, and six steals. Murray also turned it over four times. The Pelicans are 0-8 this season when Murray has four or more turnovers.
Murray noted the progress, and the disappointment. “I think the execution was better from the game plan of our group,” he said. “We stuck to the defensive plan. On the offensive end – until we play for each other on a consistent daily basis – we will have a bunch of challenges…Tonight it was better, but we have to be more consistent…We have to get it done.”
For three quarters it looked like they might get it done against the Clippers.
The Pelicans were able to find some offensive rhythm early, particularly from beyond the three-point line. New Orleans made seven of 13 three-point attempts, with six different players making at least one, in the first quarter on its way to a 37-31 lead.
Los Angeles slowed the tempo in the second quarter to counteract the Pelicans’ efforts. Within four minutes, the modest six-point advantage was gone. With the quarter in danger of slipping away, the Pelicans found their footing. Back-to-back three-pointers from CJ McCollum and Herb Jones capped a 12-2 run that put New Orleans back in front by eight points.
Murphy buried a pair of threes of his own to push the lead to 14, and the Smoothie King Center crowd erupted. The Pelicans rode that wave of good shooting and went into halftime up 62-56.
The three-pointers continued to go down at the start of the third quarter with McCollum opening the frame with a pair of long range bombs, quickly doubling the lead. Whenever the Clippers chipped away at the lead, the Pelicans were able to find an answer.
That is, until the final 4:24 of the period. Over that stretch, the Clippers outscored the Pelicans 17-8 to reduce the New Orleans advantage to three points entering the fourth quarter.
The Pelicans continued to keep the visitors at arm’s length throughout the fourth quarter, but the Clippers would not go away. Los Angeles retook the lead, 110-108, with under four minutes remaining. It was their first lead since going up 43-41 early in the second quarter.
With under one minute remaining, the game was tied a 112 each. The Pelicans had multiple opportunities on offense to get a good shot, but couldn’t convert. Harden knocked down a pair of free throws to put the Clippers up by two with :17.2 on the clock. On their next possession CJ McCollum found Missi near the basket and he was fouled with four seconds remaining, with a chance to tie.
After knocking down his first attempt, Missi missed the second by a mile. Harden would then put the final nails in the coffin at the free throw line.
New Orleans will now head to Miami to face the Heat on New Year’s Day.
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