By Eric Jay Santos
On Friday, the New Orleans Pelicans took a 139-126 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. The NBA Rivals Week special was without superstars Zion Williamson and Ja Morant.
Dejounte Murray led the Pelicans in scoring with 26 points. Trey Murphy III and CJ McCollum added another 22 points, while Jordan Hawkins finished with 20.
Jaren Jackson Jr. totaled 29 points, seven assists, and five rebounds for Memphis, and Luke Kennard registered 27 points and six assists.
New Orleans held a 71-62 lead at halftime, though their offense struggled in the second half with key contributors McCollum and Murray being held to a combined 16 points. On Memphis’ side, Jackson, Kennard, Desmond Bane, and Brandon Clarke each scored double-digits in the latter half of the match.
The Grizzlies dominated the fourth quarter, increasing a five-point lead to 18 points with less than four minutes in regulation. While the Pelicans had a better fourth-quarter scoring accu
New Orleans now holds a 12-33 season record. They have gone 4-1 in their last five games.