Pelicans Offense Sputters In Fourth Quarter, Lose Another Road Game To Jazz
The New Orleans Pelicans fell to the Utah Jazz 105-100 on Saturday night. Pelicans forward Zion Williamson sat out the game to rest as New Orleans played Friday night in L.A. New Orleans' struggles against the Jazz in Utah continue. Saturday's loss is the seventh loss in the last eight games for the Pelicans in Utah.
The Jazz opened the game on an 11-3 run, with the Pelicans looking a step slower to start. New Orleans played the night before in L.A. and landed in Salt Lake City at four in the morning. The Pelicans found their footing in the remainder of the quarter by outscoring the Jazz 26-11 the rest of the way. Utah ranks dead last in the NBA in turnovers per game, and the Pelicans forced seven turnovers in the first quarter on six steals.
Rookie Jordan Hawkins continues his stellar play to start the season. Hawkins scored 13 first-quarter points to lead all players. New Orleans assisted on eight of their first ten field goals to take a 29-22 lead into the second quarter. Utah is 0-8 this season when trailing after the first quarter.
New Orleans defensive dominance continued in the second quarter. The Pelicans recorded six more steals in the quarter, led by Dyson Daniels, who had six by himself in the first half. Hawkins scored seven points in the quarter giving him a game-high 20 points by halftime. The Pelicans held the Jazz to just 34% shooting in the half and forced them into 15 turnovers. New Orleans led 53-43 at halftime.
Nov 25, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) dribbles the ball around Utah Jazz guard Talen Horton-Tucker (5) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports
Both teams struggled through periods of the third quarter. Utah did win the quarter 25-24, but each team was shooting under 40% from the field. Brandon Ingram was the high-point man with 22 points for the Pelicans. Utah's scoring was more balanced, with every player scoring at least three points who played. New Orleans led 77-68 heading into the fourth quarter.
Utah's energy to start the fourth quarter kept the game close. The Jazz reserves propelled a 9-2 run to get the crowd back into the game, and closing the Pelicans lead to two points. Fatigue appeared to take over the Pelicans later in the fourth quarter as the offense sputtered, and the Jazz outscored the Pels 37-23 in the quarter. After scoring 20 points in the first half, rookie Jordan Hawkins scored just five points in the second half. Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 26 points.
The Jazz bench outscored the Pelicans bench 54-22 and won the game despite committing 24 turnovers. Colin Sexton led Utah in scoring with 16 points. Utah had six players score in double-figures, compared to four for the Pelicans. These teams match up again on Monday night back in the Delta Center.
