Pelicans Reaction: Another late-game collapse costs the Pelicans in New York
Another late lead slipped away from New Orleans on Sunday as the Pelicans dropped third straight game with a 122-112 overtime loss.
A handful of empty offensive possessions allowed the Knicks to crawl back into the game late and make it a one-possession lead for New Orleans with 7.8 seconds left. Lonzo Ball’s defensive miscue allowed New York to tie the game with 2.3 seconds left and eventually forced overtime.
In the extra sessions, the Knicks dominated to pull away quickly and never let the Pelicans back into the game, giving New York its second win over New Orleans in four days.
Zion Williamson had 34 points, nine rebounds and five assists in the loss while Eric Bledsoe had 22 points and Brandon Ingram 19.
The Good: Eric Bledsoe's third quarter
After a first half that has become something of the norm for Bledsoe in the second half of the season, the veteran guard exploded immediately in the third quarter. Bledsoe was unstoppable in the early minutes of the third period and largely continued that production throughout the second half. When the Pelicans get strong play from its guards in Bledsoe and Ball, they've been a drastically better team all season long. With Ball rounding back into form and Bledsoe playing as he did in the second half on Sunday, the Pelicans looked a much different team than the one that lost by double digits at home to New York on Wednesday.
The Bad: Late-game offense
The Pelicans found a new way to struggle down the stretch on Sunday. The execution was there, the desire to try to score and not run out the clock was there, but Williamson twice coughed up the ball on crucial possessions. Then, with the game tied and just under three seconds remaining, it was Bledsoe who got the final shot. Not Williamson, who finished with 34 points, or Ingram, who has been The Guy for New Orleans in those situations, but Bledsoe, who despite his strong third quarter and second half, is shooting 35.4% from the field since the All-Star break.....
Lonzo Ball: Expanded minutes, improved production
Ball's minutes expanded from 20 minutes to 27 on Sunday afternoon and he was able to be more productive as well. Ball finished with five points, seven rebounds and three assists on 2-of-9 shooting overall and 1-of-5 shooting from range as he continues to shake off the rust. However, his day will be remembered for a defensive miscue. With under 10 seconds remaining in the game and the Pelicans up three points, Derrick Rose drove to the rim and Ball took one step toward the guard, giving Reggie Bullock just enough space to know down a corner 3-pointer after a Rose kick out. https://twitter.com/MoDakhil_NBA/status/1383866990738034697
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