Turnovers Hurt Pelicans in Close Loss to Warriors, 113-109

Despite a strong shooting night, the New Orleans Pelicans committed 17 turnovers that led to 27 points for Golden State as the Warriors defeated the Pelicans, 113-109, Tuesday evening at the Smoothie King Center.

With the loss, the Pelicans (8-18) dropped to 0-3 against the Warriors this season. The Pelicans, who played exceptionally well for 44 minutes, struggled to score offensively in the final four minutes after shooting 54 percent from the field in the first half. New Orleans scored two points in its last 11 possessions.

Steph Curry scored back-to-back baskets with nearly 3:00 to play in the game, giving the Warriors a 111-108 lead. With a foul to give, Klay Thompson sent Jrue Holiday to the free throw line, where he hit one of two free throws, cutting the Warriors (22-4) lead to 111-109. A pair of free throws by Draymond Green, however, sealed the victory for the Warriors.

Dec 13, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives past New Orleans Pelicans forward Terrence Jones (9) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Pelicans finished the game, shooting 48 percent off 39-of-82 shooting from the floor. New Orleans, who entered the game ranked 29th in the three-point shooting, shot 40 percent off 14-of-35 shooting from three-point range.

The Pelicans recorded 11 to the Warriors six blocks and outscored the Warriors in bench points, 52-18. Davis led the Pelicans in scoring with 28 points followed by Galloway with 20 points.

For Golden State, the Warriors shot 44 percent off 42-of-95 shooting from the floor, 41 percent off 14-of-34 shooting from beyond the arc. Curry led the Warriors in scoring with 30 points. Durant, who made a big impact in the third quarter, finished with 27 points while Thompson recorded 17.

The Pelicans went on a 6-0 run to take a 100-95 lead in the fourth quarter. Countless turnovers by the Pelicans, however, allowed the Warriors to remain in the game. Leading 100-99, Andre Iguodala hit a three pointer to put Golden State ahead 102-100.

After leading through two quarters, the Warriors came out hot in the third quarter and cut the deficit to 74-73 with less than 9:00 minutes to play. New Orleans experienced an offensive drought but the Pelicans continued to fight. Solomon Hill scored five straight points to cut the Warriors lead to 87-84.

As both teams continued to score with the Warriors leading 95-91, Frazier hit a huge three pointer to the end quarter with the Pelicans trailing 95-94. In the second quarter, both teams continued to shoot well. The Pelicans managed a four to five-point lead throughout the majority of the quarter.

Dec 13, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) blocks a shot by New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 113-109. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

With 3:24 left to play, Green finished on a basket in the paint as the Warriors trailed by two, 54-52. Solomon Hill then converted on a three pointer to put the Pelicans back up by five. The teams continued to score back and forth before the Pelicans took a 65-58 to end the first half.

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Rookie Buddy Hield, who started the game, scored the first five points for New Orleans as the Pelicans jumped out to an early 13-5 lead. Following an early timeout, the Pelicans continued to score but Curry hit two huge three pointers to cut the Pelicans lead to 20-18.

In the final four minutes, the two teams went back and forth in scoring before Davis hit a three pointer and Frazier converted on a two pointer to give the Pelicans a 35-29 lead.

TIP-INS: (Pelicans)

Buddy Hield
Buddy Hield started looked solid in the starting lineup, finishing with seven points in 18 minutes.

Three-point shooting
After hitting 16 three pointers in their game against the Phoenix Suns, the Pelicans shot the three ball with confidence, especially in the first half.

Pelicans: New Orleans return to action at 7 PM Thursday as the Pelicans take on the Indiana Pacers at the Smoothie King Center.

Warriors: Golden State returns to action at 9:30 PM Thursday as the Warriors take on the New York Knicks at Oracle Arena.