Pelicans-Grizzlies: New Orleans loses 7th game in a row | Pelicans

On By Littum

Willie Green used a four-letter word to describe his team’s 26-point loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.

Soft.

“We allowed a team to get on our home floor and really make us look soft,” Green said. “That’s what I told our group. It can’t happen.”

On Friday, the Pelicans played a competitive game against the Memphis Grizzlies. They stayed within striking distance until late in the fourth quarter. But the final score — a 120-109 loss to Memphis at FedEx Forum — was the same as the previous six games the Pelicans have played.

New Orleans (4-16) has lost seven straight games. The Pelicans finished November with a 2-13 record. They enter December with the third-fewest wins in the NBA. They are in last place in the Western Conference.

Dejounte Murray, who said the Pelicans’ performance Wednesday was “disgusting,” had 21 points, six rebounds and six assists in his second game back from a left hand injury. It was an improved performance for the Pelicans point guard compared to Wednesday, but there were still moments where he looked rusty.

In the first quarter, Grizzlies guard Ja Morant stole the ball from Murray before crossing half court. Morant drove to the basket, absorbed a Murray foul and finished. It was one of four turnovers Murray had in the first quarter.

The Grizzlies took a nine-point lead into halftime. Their depth was a major advantage in the game. Santi Aldama scored 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting off the bench, while Marcus Smart added 11 points.

Combined, Memphis’ bench unit accounted for 46 points. New Orleans’ bench combined for 11 points.

Morant led the way for Memphis with 27 points and seven assists.

CJ McCollum scored a game-high 30 points for New Orleans. It wasn’t enough for the Pelicans, who were missing Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Williamson remains out indefinitely with a hamstring strain. Ingram sat out a third straight game with what the Pelicans said was right calf soreness.

Just 13 months ago, Pelicans coach Willie Green called Williamson and Ingram “the best freaking duo in the league” after New Orleans won in Memphis. With February’s trade deadline approaching, it’s fair to wonder how long they’ll be teammates. Barring a dramatic turnaround, the Pelicans look set to miss the playoffs for the fourth time in six years.

Rookie center Yves Missi was a bright spot for New Orleans as he scored 16 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Missi also hit three shots.

The Pelicans went 1-3 in NBA Cup group play. Unlike last year, they will not advance to the knockout round.