The New Orleans Pelicans’ struggles continued Friday evening with a 132-124 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on the Smoothie King Middle. With this loss, the Pelicans prolonged their shedding streak to 9 video games.
Trey Murphy III turned in one other stable efficiency, offering a much-needed vivid spot in one other in any other case unremarkable loss for New Orleans. Murphy scored a game-high 35 factors, capturing 11 of 20 from the sphere and a season-high 6 of 11 at 3 p.m. from past the three-point arc.
The 24-year-old ahead has now scored 20 or extra factors in 5 consecutive video games, the longest streak of his younger profession. Throughout that five-game stretch, Murphy averaged 26.2 factors per sport whereas capturing 53.4 % general and making 45.2 % of his three-point makes an attempt. Trey leads the NBA with 11 video games with a minimum of three made triples this month.
Murphy continues to make his sturdy case to be thought-about a key piece for the Pelicans in future seasons.
“Trey was phenomenal for us,” head coach Willie Inexperienced mentioned after the sport. “He steps up, stays aggressive and provides us all the pieces he has on each ends. We simply want extra consistency as a crew to show these performances into wins.
Regardless of heroics from Murphy and a 32-point outing from CJ McCollum, his third 30-point sport this season, the Pelicans had been merely overwhelmed by the Grizzlies. Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 33 factors, whereas Ja Morant added 25 earlier than leaving the sport within the third quarter with a shoulder damage following a collision with Pelicans middle Daniel Theis.
The Pelicans as soon as once more fell behind by greater than 20 factors on their ground. They had been pressured to chip away at a 22-point deficit and managed to slim the hole to only six factors by the top of the third quarter. Nevertheless, a key turnover by Murphy – his solely one of many sport – led to an 8-0 run for the Grizzlies, capped by a Jackson floater and a Luke Kennard three-pointer. Memphis had firmly regained management and New Orleans was unable to get well.
Dejounte Murray’s turnover points continued to plague the crew. He had seven turnovers in opposition to the Grizzlies, marking his fourth sport this season with a minimum of seven. For context, Murray had solely two such video games in his total profession earlier than becoming a member of the Pelicans. His struggles with ball safety stay a serious subject because the Pelicans desperately attempt to discover consistency on offense.
“I take accountability for that,” Murray mentioned. “We will not afford to offer the ball away like that, particularly in opposition to a crew like Memphis. I’ve to be higher.
On the opposite aspect of the court docket, the Pelicans protection was torched by Memphis’ three-point capturing. The Grizzlies made 17 of 41 makes an attempt from lengthy vary (41.5%), whereas New Orleans made simply 11 of 38 (28.9%) from deep. It was the eighth time this season the Pelicans made fewer than 30 % of their three-pointers and the 14th time an opponent transformed 40 % or extra of their three-pointers.
Desmond Bane contributed 18 factors for Memphis, whereas Scottie Pippen Jr. and Zach Edey added 13 and 14 factors, respectively.
New Orleans fell to 0-14 in video games missed by Brandon Ingram this season and is 3-23 in video games with out Zion Williamson.
Regardless of the loss, Murphy’s stellar efficiency gives a glimmer of hope for the Pelicans as they put together for a essential matchup in opposition to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday evening to shut out this five-game homestand.
“It’s robust proper now,” Inexperienced mentioned. “However this group is preventing. Trey is displaying what he can do and we are going to proceed to work to enhance. It is a lengthy season.
Because the Pelicans look to finish their nine-game skid, followers shall be watching intently to see if Murphy can proceed his torrid scoring streak and if the crew can play constant basketball on the NBA degree.
As a result of the season has already been lengthy in New Orleans. And, just like the crew’s present shedding streak, it feels prefer it’s getting longer and longer.
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