Photo by Stephen Lew-Imagn Images/Reuters; Logos via sportslogos.net
The New Orleans Pelicans drop their season opener 123-120 to the Indiana Pacers. The Pelicans have now lost back-to-back season openers and have lost their last four games in the Smoothie King Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Pelicans opened the season with an early highlight, as Yves Missi slammed home a dunk for New Orleans’ first points of the year following a missed shot by Ivica Zubac.
The game remained close through the opening minutes before Indiana put together a 10-point run to take control. Herb Jones drew the assignment of guarding Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton and held him to just seven points in the first quarter.
New Orleans found success on the boards early, but foul trouble and poor perimeter shooting held the team back. The Pelicans committed five fouls and shot just 3-of-10 from beyond the arc in the opening quarter. They finished the quarter shooting 10-of-22 from the field, trailing Indiana 38-31.
The Pelicans came out firing in the second quarter, putting together a 12-0 run to reclaim the lead at 43-38. Obi Toppin finally got Indiana on the board with a corner three-pointer, ending New Orleans’ run.
Despite taking control of the game, the Pelicans continued to struggle with ball security, committing six turnovers in the second quarter alone. However, Indiana’s offense went cold, scoring just 18 points on 39% shooting from the field.
New Orleans took advantage of the Pacers’ struggles by dominating the glass and generating second-chance opportunities. The Pelicans out rebounded Indiana 30-15 in the first half and held a commanding 19-2 advantage in second-chance points.
Zion Williamson capped off a strong first half by knocking down his first three-pointer of the season as the buzzer sounded, sending the Pelicans into the locker room with a 66-56 lead.
The third quarter was much more competitive, as Indiana chipped away at New Orleans’ lead with scoring contributions from across the roster. The Pelicans managed to stay in front, but their advantage continued to shrink as the Pacers shot 50% from the field. New Orleans held on thanks to a perfect 8-of-8 performance at the free-throw line, taking a 92-86 lead into the fourth quarter.
Indiana carried that momentum into the final quarter, with Tyrese Haliburton scoring eight points during a 22-12 run that put the Pacers back in front for the first time since the opening quarter, with six minutes remaining. New Orleans struggled to keep pace offensively, shooting just 4-of-11 from the field and 2-of-6 from three-point range during that stretch.
Dejounte Murray came up with a huge and-one opportunity to tie the game at 110, then converted the free throw to give the Pelicans the lead with under four minutes to play.
Indiana responded by building a three-point advantage, but Zion Williamson answered with a tough finger roll off the glass for a three-point play to even the score once again.
Haliburton then came through with a three-point play of his own to put Indiana back in front. The Pacers held on from there, keeping the Pelicans from reclaiming the lead and closing out the game.
BIG NUMBER: 16
The Pelicans offense struggled to keep possession, turning the ball over 16 times, which lead to 16 points for the Pacers.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Pascal Siakam
Siakam put up 30 points on 35 minutes of play. The 6’8 forward shot 56% from the field, and brought down eight rebounds with one assist and one steal.
UP NEXT: The Pelicans return to action on Friday, October 23rd, when they travel to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Jazz in their first road game of the season. Tipoff is set for 8:30 P.M. Central Time at the Delta Center.
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