Pels Lose to the Grizzlies by One Point
Last week's headliner wrote: "...in a faceoff against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Pelicans lost sight of their 20 point lead and suffered a one point loss on their home court." Sadly, today's saying the same.
This game was notably the first game Ja Morant and Marcus Smart would be playing together, as Smart had made his comeback the night of the game.
The Pelicans lead the Grizzlies by as much as 17 points during this matchup in the Smoothie King Center, leading 80-67 at the end of the third quarter. Yet Memphis would ultimately outscore the Pels 36-23 in the fourth frame.
During the last New Orleans possession, McCollum had fumbled his ball handling just before the shot clock violation was called. Following, Ja Morant had missed a layup with 1.5 seconds remaining. While Herb was fouled, it was overturned as it was seen upon replay that their was no contact when the shot was taken.
After a jump ball, the Grizzlies held possession at 0.4 seconds. After a review, the ball was lobbed to Jackson who had a missed attempt at tipping the ball into the basket. The refs called a foul on JV for contact just as the game clock ran out.
The Smoothie King Center had every attendee on every level on their feet.
With a score of 102-103, Jackson's two free throws had the potential to win the game for the Grizzlies, yet he missed the second shot, sending the game into the Pelicans first overtime performance of the season.
With the three reviews during the last 1.5 seconds of the game, McCollum calls this the "most bizarre game" he's ever been a part of.
Although McCollum raised questions to some of the referee calls towards the end, he admits, "It's a tough loss. I need to be better, we all do. We need to do better especially when we're up in the fourth. We don't score down the stretch of games," said McCollum.
OT started with a neck and neck race, seemingly going point for point. Where they went wrong were some missed free throws, bad shots, questionable substitutions and rotations, and sloppy defense.
While Williamson put up a double-double, the start player only put up six points during the half, including OT. Fans are calling for more from him, once again.
Fans are realizing this pattern of New Orleans playing at peak level for three quarters, yet falling behind in the fourth quarter, whereas other teams are firing up. This game makes for a 0-6 record in games decided by three or less.
"It's our free throws, our execution, our turnovers. It's not one guy, it's all of us. We're all in it...this crap hurts but it's a part of it...hopefully it doesn't take another three-four more games," said Coach Green.
To address the team about the issue, Coach Green explains there needs to be a "level of honesty about it. Looking at the film, practicing, and showing up for the next game."
Ingram calls a number of the issues on the court tonight "correctable."
"We gotta get through this and make those corrections," Ingram said. "We need to do better at finding the best shot on the floor and it may not come from me, Zion, or CJ."
