The New Orleans Pelicans find themselves in a tough spot after extending their losing streak to five games with a decisive 134-102 loss to the Houston Rockets. This recent skid highlights the challenges the Pelicans face as they strive to become a truly competitive team.
Injuries have once again plagued New Orleans, reminiscent of their struggles earlier in the season. With a record now standing at 25-51, they trail the Memphis Grizzlies by two losses, a gap that underscores their current predicament. While the standings might not hold much promise for the Pelicans, fans are keeping a close eye on the Atlanta Hawks' pick, hoping it remains outside the top four.
A significant issue for the Pelicans has been the absence of Trey Murphy, whose shooting prowess has been sorely missed in the last three games. Against the Rockets, New Orleans was outgunned from beyond the arc, with Houston hitting 18-of-43 threes compared to the Pelicans' 9-of-28.
The rebounding battle was another area where Houston dominated, pulling down 56 boards to New Orleans' 35. Alperen Sengun was a force, posting 36 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and three blocks without a single turnover. The Pelicans struggled to contain him, a recurring theme in their recent losses where frontcourt mismatches have been costly.
Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. combined to shoot 9-of-16 from deep, outshining the entire Pelicans team. This kind of performance from opposing big men makes it difficult to compete.
Despite solid contributions from Dejounte Murray with 19 points, and Zion Williamson and Saddiq Bey each adding 18, the Pelicans needed more firepower to keep pace. As they look to regroup, finding a way to close these gaps will be crucial for New Orleans moving forward.