Pelicans vs. Thunder Recap: The good, the bad and the Lonzo Ball (Jan. 6)
For the second-consecutive contest, the New Orleans Pelicans were on the wrong side of a close decision, this time, dropping a 111-110 contest to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
After leading the contest early, the Pelicans fell behind in the second half and began the fourth quarter trailing by 10 points.
Perhaps that what made this loss just as tough as Monday night’s though — New Orleans managed to claw their way back, eventually opening up a 104-100 lead on a three-point play by Steven Adams with just over two minutes remaining in the contest.
In the end, though, New Orleans couldn’t get important stops when they needed them. George Hill ended up sinking the game’s decisive free throws after being fouled by Lonzo Ball with 12.1 seconds remaining in the contest.
For the second consecutive game, Ball failed to execute in the latter stages of the contest, and that cost his team. Again.
The good: Steven Adams' triple-double
Playing against his former team, newly installed starting center Steven Adams managed the first triple-double of his career. Adams posted a 10-point, 11-rebound, 10-assist effort against the Thunder, and under normal circumstances, it may have been enough to overcome an upstart Thunder team being led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Darius Bazley. On this night, however, it wasn't. Aside from Adams, the Pelicans also got stellar efforts from both Brandon Ingram (24 points, 11 rebounds, four assists) and Zion Willamson (29 points, six rebounds). Sadly, though, it wasn't enough.
The Bad: Late-game execution. Again.
For the second consecutive game, the Pelicans held a late lead but, ultimately, were unable to hold on. What made this one more difficult to accept, though, was the fact that the club valiantly battled back from a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit. After taking a 104-100 lead with just over two minutes remaining in the contest, the Pels allowed the Thunder to end the game on an 11-6 run, which was enough to allow Oklahoma City to squeak out the decision. The Thunder got points on each of their final four possessions of the contest, with three of them ending in fouls. Oklahoma City converted all six of their free-throws, which helped them steal the victory.
The Ball: Two critical foul calls
At the end of the day, as long as you win, all is forgiven. Unfortunately, though, Lonzo Ball won't be exonerated after Wednesday night's 111-110 loss to Oklahoma City. Ball ended the night having taken the most field goal attempts of all Pelicans players, but managed to shoot just 6-for-18 from the field. Although he turned in a 15-point, four-assist, four-rebound effort, it was his four turnovers and fouls committed that proved to be fatal to the Pels. In the game's final minute — with the Pelicans clinging to a two-point lead — Ball was whistled for two fouls that led to five Thunder points. The first was committed against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on a 3-point shot, while the second was called on George Hill's go-ahead field goal attempt with just over 12 seconds remaining in the contest. Neither Thunder guard did the Pelicans any favors by missing any free throw attempts. In the end, for Stan Van Gundy's team, it led to another frustrating loss. As a result, New Orleans will enter play on January 7 at 4-4. Unfortunately, for the second consecutive game, Ball is likely looking in the mirror.
