The third quarter continues to be an issue for the New Orleans Pelicans (27-23). It’s been a quarter that’s plagued them all season long and cost them yet another game on Tuesday night against the Sacramento Kings (16-34) by the score of 114-103.
After an early back and forth, the Pelicans began to take control with a 6-0 run capped off by E’Twaun Moore with 5:17 left in the first quarter. However, the Kings responded in quick fashion and took a slim lead late, but the Pelicans were able to get out to a 29-25 lead at the end of the first.
It was much of the same in the second quarter with both teams exchanging the lead four times. However, the Pelicans were able to hold onto a one-point lead into the break despite an 8-0 run in the final 1:08.
The dreaded third quarter drop off continued with the Kings quickly getting out to a seven point lead early on. Sacramento’s lead ballooned up to 12 points with 2:25 left, but the Pelicans were able to get on a 7-0 run in the final moments to make it 90-85 headed into the final frame.
Despite a solid start in the fourth quarter by the Pels, it was all Kings in the final moments as they got out of the Smoothie King Center with an 11-point win.
The Pelicans will return to action on Friday when they hit the road to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (30-20) with tipoff set for 8 pm.
-Clint Domingue