Having an injury list of Anthony Davis, Tyreke Evans, Quincy Pondexter, Ryan Anderson, while giving significant minutes to Luke Babbitt and undrafted Tim Frazier is simply not having enough talent. And thus losing because of it. The effort is there (the win over the Clippers should show this).
Tonight, when the Pelicans play the Indiana Pacers, you’ll see the team play hard. And you’ll most likely see them lose. The Pacers are fighting for their playoff lives–sitting at the 7th seed currently, and precociously at that. Indiana will try hard to win. The Pelicans will play just as hard, but not have the talent to compete.