Pelicans Drop 5th Straight in 89-83 Loss to Grizzlies

Despite rallying to tie the game at 75 at the end of regulation, the New Orleans Pelicans could not close out the game in overtime as they remained winless (0-5) this season, losing 89-83 on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies.

With the loss, the Pelicans remain as one of five NBA teams that have not won a game this season. New Orleans also loss its second division game of the season.

The Grizzlies (3-2) outscored the Pelicans in overtime, 14-8.

Offensive struggles and sloppy play were critical issues for both teams. As for the Pelicans, however, they generated more turnovers than the Grizzlies in the contest, 22-20, a constant theme that dates back to last season for them.

As a positive for the Pelicans, bench play helped them in a big way and kept them in the game, scoring 64 of the team’s 83 points in the contest.

Nov 2, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) guards New Orleans Pelicans guard Lance Stephenson (5) during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Key players for both teams struggled in the game. Anthony Davis, who came in as the league’s second-leading scorer averaging 37 points and 13 rebounds, finished the game with 10 points off 3-of-13 shooting from the floor.

Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, who did not play last game, scored only eight points off 3-of-18 shooting in the game.

For the game, the Grizzlies shot 35 percent off 30-of-86 shooting from the floor. Memphis also outrebounded New Orleans, 52-43, in the game.

Nov 2, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward JaMychal Green (0) and Memphis Grizzlies forward James Ennis (8) celebrate during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies beats the New Orleans Pelicans in overtime 93-89. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

JaMychal Green led Memphis in scoring with 21 points, followed by Mike Conley with 20 and James Ennis with 16 points.

The Pelicans finished the game shooting 37 percent off 30-of-81 shooting from the floor. Lance Stephenson, in his return against his old team, led New Orleans in scoring with 21 points and six assists, followed by Langston Galloway and rookie Buddy Hield with 18 points respectively.

Zach Randolph scored the first basket of the fourth quarter before the Pelicans held the Grizzlies without a basket for 5:25.

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During this time, Stephenson, Galloway and Hield helped the Pelicans overcome their deficit to take a 71-70 lead with 5:52 remaining in regulation. The two teams struggled to score but made critical baskets down the stretch of the final minutes.

Green nailed a clutch three pointer off an assist from Marc Gasol to tie the game at 75. Neither team would score another point, forcing overtime.

After a strong end to the first half, the two teams exchanged baskets back and forth before the the Grizzlies took an eight-point lead with 1:55 remaining in the third quarter.

The Pelicans fought back to stay in the game but ended the quarter trailing the Grizzlies, 66-59.

At the half, the Pelicans shot 50 percent from the floor off 19-of-38 shooting from the floor. Three-point shooting and bench play helped New Orleans in the second quarter as the Pelicans shot 44 percent from the behind the arc. The Pelicans bench scored 34 of the team’s 48 points.

The Grizzlies shot 38 percent off 18-of-47 shooting from the floor in the first half. Green led Memphis in scoring with 11 points.

Nov 2, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Buddy Hield (24) looks to pass the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Wade Baldwin IV (4) during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

In the second, following a basket from Conley, the Pelicans’ offense came to life, going on a 10-2 run to tie the game at 23. After the two teams exchanged baskets, the Pelicans kept their foot on the gas offensively behind the stellar play of Stephenson and Galloway, who combined for 26 points in the first half.

Hield, who has been adjusting to the NBA game, also found his stroke in the second quarter, contributing eight of the Pelicans 35 points in the quarter.

New Orleans led Memphis, 48-41, at halftime.

The Grizzlies took an early lead to begin the game and would keep their lead throughout the first quarter. Sloppy play and turnovers helped Memphis as New Orleans trailed Memphis, 21-13, at the end of the first quarter.

The Pelicans return to action at 7:30 PM Friday at the Smoothie King Center…….