NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – After having a four-day break since their last game you could almost see the rust on the players as the Pelicans fell to the Nuggets 118-111. The team continues to have their struggles against teams with a losing record, as the now 26-41 Nuggets stayed stride for stride with the Pelicans all game long and kept it up just enough to squeeze out a victory in double overtime.
Anthony Davis had yet another monster game, racking up 36 points, 9 blocks, 14 rebounds and a career-best 7 assists as he came dangerously close to a historically elusive quadruple-double. Tyreke Evans also played a great game with 25 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds coming close to a triple-double of his own.
Davis was hitting jumper after jumper and scoring at will throughout the majority of the game, however after missing a potential game-winning shot in the first overtime he and the Pelicans went ice cold in the remainder of the game. The team ended up scoring only 2 points and making only one of their seven shot attempts in the game’s final period.
The game was over when Eric Gordon threw a bad pass and turned the ball over with 29 seconds left in the second overtime. From there Danilo Gallinari of the Nuggets hit two clutch free throws to put the game out of reach 116-111. With so many missed opportunities from the 19 turnovers the team had tonight you can’t help but think the Pelicans let this one get away.
Coming into the game the Pelicans were looking to be a season-high eight games above .500, but ultimately fell short. Not only does this loss sting as any loss does, but due to Oklahoma City defeating the Chicago Bulls earlier on Sunday the Pelicans are now a game behind the Thunder for the 8th and final playoff spot in the western conference.
The Pelicans (36-30) next game is at home against the Milwaukee Bucks (34-32) Tuesday night at the Smoothie King Center.