New Orleans Pelicans Struggle at Paycom Center Against High-Flying Oklahoma City Thunder
The New Orleans Pelicans faced a tough challenge against the Oklahoma City Thunder, ending with a record of 12-41 after a 101-137 defeat. The Thunder's victory improved their impressive season to 43-9. Despite the Pelicans' efforts, they could not overcome the Thunder's dominance throughout the game.
Key Performances from the Pelicans
Trey Murphy III stood out for the New Orleans Pelicans with his team-high 23 points, complemented by seven rebounds and five assists. His shooting was efficient from beyond the arc, hitting 57 percent of his three-point attempts and maintaining a perfect free throw percentage. Jordan Hawkins also contributed significantly with 12 points and five rebounds, showcasing his ability from deep by connecting on half of his three-point shots.
Yves Missi added an important presence inside for the Pelicans with 11 points and eight rebounds. Despite these individual performances, turnovers were a critical issue for New Orleans, totaling 23 for the game which translated into numerous scoring opportunities for Oklahoma City.
Thunder's Commanding Game
The Oklahoma City Thunder demonstrated why they are among the top teams this season with an all-around performance. Their efficiency was on full display as they shot 52 percent from field goals and an impressive 49 percent from three-point range. The Thunder capitalized on turnovers, scoring 40 points off turnovers compared to just thirteen by the Pelicans.
Oklahoma City also showcased their depth with sixty-six bench points and maintained control of both ends of the court throughout most of the game. Their largest lead stretched to thirty-nine points as they dominated possession time leading for nearly forty-seven minutes.
Looking ahead, fans can catch more action as The New Orleans Pelicans will host Sacramento Kings at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on February 12th at 8:00 PM EDT. This upcoming match will be broadcasted on NBCS-CA and Gulf Coast Sports networks.
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