Pelicans' Paint Power Falls Short as Nuggets Edge Out Victory

The New Orleans Pelicans faced off against the Denver Nuggets in a closely contested game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans, now holding a 9-33 record, were narrowly defeated by the Nuggets, who improved their standing to 27-13. The final score was 122-116 in favor of Denver.

First Quarter

The game began with both teams showcasing their offensive capabilities. The Pelicans managed to keep pace with the Nuggets, ending the first quarter just one point behind at 31-32. Zion Williamson contributed significantly during this period with his aggressive play inside the paint.

Second Quarter

In the second quarter, New Orleans took control and outscored Denver 34-28. Trey Murphy III was instrumental in this surge, scoring efficiently and helping his team take an 11-point lead at one stage. His performance from beyond the arc was particularly noteworthy.

Third Quarter

As play resumed after halftime, Denver started closing in on New Orleans' lead by outscoring them 29-27 in this period. Despite Jordan Poole's efforts to maintain momentum for the Pels with his sharp shooting from three-point range, turnovers began to plague their progress.

Fourth Quarter

The final quarter saw a dramatic shift as Denver capitalized on New Orleans' mistakes and defensive lapses. With a strong finish of 33 points compared to New Orleans’ 24 points in this segment, Denver clinched victory through strategic plays and effective free throw shooting down the stretch.

Overall, despite dominating inside with an impressive total of 56 points scored in paint areas throughout all quarters combined—thanks largely due to Williamson's relentless drives—the Pelicans couldn't hold off a late-game rally by their opponents.

For fans eager for more action involving these teams: mark your calendars! The next matchup for New Orleans is set against Brooklyn Nets on January 14th at Smoothie King Center starting at 8:00 PM EDT; tune into YES or Gulf Coast Sports networks or stream via Pelicans+ online service!

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