FADING FAST: Pelicans Drop 3rd Straight in Loss to Clippers

Today’s visit to the Staples Center in Los Angeles marked the end of a three-game road trip against Western Conference playoff contenders for the New Orleans Pelicans.

The trip has been particularly devastating, with the Pelicans adding equally to their injury list and loss column. The timing could not be any worse, with the team involved in a 3-way race for the 8-seed.

And then, to add insult to injury, was today’s performance against the playoff-bound L.A. Clippers.

The Pelicans will now return to New Orleans on a three-game losing streak, after falling 107-100 to the Los Angeles Clippers in a Sunday afternoon NBA clash.

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New Orleans started Cole-Poindexter-Cunningham-Davis-Ajinca. Tyreke Evans and Omer Asik both sat out to rest sprained ankles. Ryan Anderson and Jrue Holliday continue in their extended absence. Eric Gordon was brought off the bench after showing up late to a team meeting.

Despite the depleted roster, the Pelicans started the game in good form. They shot 9/10 on their way to an early double-digit lead. Anthony Davis, returning from an ankle sprain of his own, was his typical dominant self, posting 9 PTS (4/4 FG) 4 REB 1 AST 1 STL 1 BLK.

The Clippers battled back from the deficit, capitalizing on a large offensive rebound differential, and 4 Pelicans turnovers. Both of those stats factored into an 8-attempt advantage for the Clippers in the first quarter. The Pelicans narrowly led going into the second, 28-27.

Mar 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) tries to block a shot by New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

The Clippers opened up a small the in the second, but the Pelicans rolled back with a 10 pt run to end the half, gaining a 53-50 lead. New Orleans was scorching hot offensively, shooting 58% on field goals and 7/11 on 3’s.

Chris Paul lived up to his elite defensive reputation, torturing the Pelicans backcourt all night.

He swiped 4 steals and forced terrible passes on almost every possession. Deandre Jordan was a terror in the first half too, pulling down 10 REB including 4 OREB.

The Pelicans depth issues started to show in the second half, as the Clippers controlled the game with small leads. New Orleans often narrowed the margin or tied, but could not maintain any kind of sustained lead.

With 2:37 the Clippers extended the lead out to 10. The Pelicans attempted to close the gap, but couldn’t get any friction gathered offensively.