Lackluster Pelicans Lose to 76ers, 107-93
Lackluster. In the dictionary, the term ‘lackluster’ is defined as “lacking in vitality, force, or conviction; uninspired or uninspiring”. If Webster’s ever decided to put a photo with the definition, they should put a 2015-16 team photo of the New Orleans Pelicans, right beside it.
Statistically, on offense, the Pelicans did not shoot the ball bad but the lack of defense, lack of ball movement and turnovers hurt them.
New Orleans finished the game with 20 assists in comparison Philadelphia’s 31 and committed and 17 turnovers that led to 19 points for the 76ers. Philadelphia also edged New Orleans in points in the paint, 40-36.
Not our night. #Pelicans fall to the Sixers on the road. @DlamarC33 team-high 19p pic.twitter.com/PhM7DpdMzI
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 6, 2016
Dante Cunningham led the Pelicans in scoring, tying his season high with 19 points.
Apr 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham (44) shoots against Philadelphia 76ers forward Jerami Grant (39) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Luke Babbitt finished with 16 points after a leading the Pelicans in scoring at the end of the first half. Alexis Ajinca and Frazier combined for 24 points while Ennis finished with 11 points.
The 76ers, who earned just their 10th victory of the season and came in averaging 97 points per game, scored 107 points, shot 46 percent off 40-of-88 shooting from the floor, 38 percent (13-of-34) from three-point range and 82 percent (14-of-17) from the charity stripe.
Despite being outrebounded in the contest, the 76ers committed fewer turnovers than the Pelicans and destroyed New Orleans in fast break points (16-2).
Carl Landry led the 76ers in scoring with 22 points off 9-of-10 shooting from the field and 2-of-2 from three-point range in 26 minutes. Five other 76ers finished in double figures.
Isaiah Canaan finished with 16 points, Nik Stauskas and Hollis Thompson combining for 26 points, Robert Covington finished 12 points while Jerami Grant finished with 10 points.
Facing a 15-point deficit to begin the fourth quarter, the Pelicans failed to move the ball effectively, score efficiently and lacked energy defensively.
In a word, their performance was uninspiring, or “lackluster”.
Apr 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham (44) watches on from his bench during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 107-93. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The 76ers used great ball movement and a great shooting night from the field and from three-point range to put the Pelicans away in the quarter.
Philadelphia led by as many as 20 points before the five-minute mark of the fourth quarter. Tim Frazier, James Ennis and Jordan Hamilton added the last six points to bring the deficit within 14 for the Pelicans.
For the game, the Pelicans (29-50) shot 45 percent off 37-of-82 shooting from the floor, 39 percent (7-of-18) from three-point range and 75 percent (12-of-16) from the free throw line.
The Pelicans scored the first four points to open the game. Canaan then hit a three pointer to put the 76ers on the scoreboard. New Orleans dominated the first quarter, shooting 57 percent from the floor. Philadelphia committed simple mistakes offensively, allowing the Pelicans to take advantage and maintain their lead throughout the quarter.
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Leading 29-21 to begin the second quarter, the Pelicans increased their lead to 10 with back-to-back baskets from Babbitt. The 76ers, however, went on a 6-0 run with huge shots from Landry and McConnell to narrow the Pelicans lead to 33-29.
Following a timeout, Philadelphia remained hot offensively. Thompson came hit back-too-back three pointers to give the 76ers a 35-33 lead, their first of the game.
Over the next 6:30 minutes, the two teams went back and forth offensively before the 76ers got into a groove, going on a 9-2 run to take a 57-51 lead at the half. The Pelicans gave up 36 points to the 76ers in the second quarter and lacked the same ball movement they had in the first quarter.
After shooting 57 percent at the end of the first quarter, the Pelicans finished the half shooting 47 percent (21-of-45) from the floor, 38 percent (3-of-8) from three-point range and 75 percent (3-of-4) from the charity stripe. Babbitt led the Pelicans in scoring with 14 points, followed by Frazier with 10 points and six assists.
Philadelphia shot 49 percent from the field, 41 percent (7-of-17) from three-point range and 80 percent (4-of-5) from the free throw line. The 76ers outscored the Pelicans in points in the paint (26-20) and bench points (31-10).
Landry, the former Pelican, led the 76ers in scoring at half with 11 points followed by Canaan with 10.
Apr 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Carl Landry (7) reacts to his three pointer against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 107-93. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Pelicans started the third quarter on fire and narrowed the 76ers lead to 62-60. Following a timeout, however, the 76ers got in an offensive rhythm and never looked back. Philadelphia went on 10-2 run before James Ennis added a free throw for the Pelicans to end the run.
Down 11 points, New Orleans responded in a strong way, scoring nine of the next 11 points to bring the deficit to 76-72. Throughout the final minutes of the quarter, the 76ers scored 11 points to take an 88-73 lead going into the fourth quarter.
New Orleans returns to action tomorrow as the Pelicans go on the road to take on the Boston Celtics at the TD Waterhouse Garden . Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Eastern time…..