NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – In a must-win playoff situation the Pelicans came out and controlled the lead for most of the game, but ended up fizzling out late. Turnovers and some questionable late-game decisions cost the Pelicans the game in a 123-119 overtime thriller.
It was the Warriors who started the game out hot, with guards Steph Curry and Klay Thompson draining three after three in the first quarter, and Thomson having nine quick points in the first four minutes of the game. However the Pelicans would come storming back, scoring 11 unanswered points to start the second quarter. The Pelicans led by 11 at halftime, and the lead continued to grow. The team had a seemingly insurmountable 89-69 lead over the Warriors heading into the fourth quarter, but the game took a turn for the worst.
Despite having a red-hot Ryan Anderson in the 4th quarter, the Pelicans were outscored 39-19, with a crucial mistake costing them the most important basket of the season. With under 10 seconds left and down by three, the Warriors Stephen Curry made an incredible three-point shot to tie the game off an offensive rebound. After the game coach Monty Williams said that the plan was to foul and put the Warriors at the line where they could hit a maximum of two free throws, but there was some miscommunication between him and the team and the team suffered because of it.
In overtime the Warriors took control of the game, scoring quick buckets and looking like they simply wanted it more. The Pelicans looked tired and outmatched, and a missed Anthony Davis layup with under 10 seconds left in the game sealed the deal.
The Pelicans have to forget this game quickly, as they return to the Smoothie King Center on Saturday night for game four. Being down 3-0, the Pelicans have their backs against the wall and try to overcome the impossible with a string of victories to avoid elimination. In the history of the NBA there has never been a team to come back from being down 3-0, and the Pelicans have a lot of work to do if they want to write their name in the history books.
