Following a disappointing 113-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday, the New Orleans Pelicans have an unflattering 0-2 record during the Zion era.
One witnessed the trouble brewing early. Denver led for most of the first quarter, but New Orleans added insult to injury by closing the frame poorly. What was a 27-24 deficit with 2:14 remaining wound up a 37-28 difference by the time the buzzer sounded.
In addition, a theme quickly emerged on the night: the Pelicans couldn’t keep the Nuggets off the glass, avoid silly turnovers or make their free throws — all the little things that good teams do well.