Pelicans prove utterly helpless in protecting the paint against Timberwolves

One of the most valuable shots in basketball is inside the restricted area. Although defenses are well aware their number one priority is to protect the rim, sometimes it mysteriously fails to work out that way. Last night against the Timberwolves, the Pelicans had all kinds of issues providing the necessary resistance.

Without Omer Asik and Anthony Davis, the Pelicans were obviously going to have problems guarding the interior; however, one does not need to be a legitimate shot blocker to curb opponents. To allow a 32 attempts and a 75 FG% at or near the rim is wholly unacceptable.