Three quick observations from Thursday night’s 115-99 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans
SLAM DUNK – One night after they survived Houston’s egregious use of intentionally fouling Andre Drummond to win 123-114, the Pistons were gashed early and often in losing to New Orleans. The Pelicans scored 35 points in the first quarter and didn’t slow down, tacking on 37 more in the second. They shot 66 percent in the first half. The 72 points New Orleans scored in the half made for the highest-scoring half against the Pistons this season – topping the second half at Houston, when they yielded 67. At least they had a legitimate reason for that: all the extra possessions the Rockets created by fouling Drummond. The defense stiffened noticeably after halftime – the Pelicans scored only six points in the first seven minutes of the third quarter, scored just 18 points for the quarter and shot 32 percent as the Pistons pulled within 13 headed to the fourth. They scored the first four points of the fourth quarter to get it to nine, but the Pelicans rebuilt the lead to 16 by midway through the quarter. Drummond finished with 19 points and 22 rebounds, his ninth game with 20-plus rebounds this season. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led the Pistons with 23 points and Brandon Jennings, showing flashes of a return to form, added 20 off the bench.
FREE THROW – The script-flipping that’s taken place between conferences this season very likely had a role in the obvious motivational edge New Orleans carried into the game. The Pelicans came into the game with a record of 14-27 after a 1-11 start when injuries riddled the lineup. In recent seasons, that would have eliminated them from all realistic playoff contention already. But not this season. New Orleans came into the game only four games out of the West’s final playoff spot. And the Pelicans understand the opportunity the schedule has presented them. Thursday’s game with the Pistons was the second of a seven-game home stand that opened on Tuesday with a win over Minnesota. The Pistons, meanwhile, have two games left on their current road trip – road games at altitude against Denver (Saturday) and Utah (Monday).
3-POINTER – Thursday’s game marked the ninth double-double for the Pistons this season, meaning they have 11 of their league-high 20 remaining. But the good news is that it was also seventh time this season that they’ve played a back to back against a team that didn’t play the night before and they have just one such game remaining over the season’s final 39. The Pistons are now 1-6 in those games. They beat Utah in the Oct. 28 home opener after winning at Atlanta to open the regular season the previous night while the Jazz were off. The Pistons lost to Golden State after beating Portland, to Washington after beating Minnesota, to Charlotte after beating the Lakers and to Atlanta after beating Miami prior to losing to the Pelicans. The Pistons have also played seven games where they’re the rested team playing against a team that played the night before, but they’re just 4-3 in those games. Their most recent loss in such a situation came to San Antonio last week. The Pistons also have only one of those types of games remaining this season.
