Since losing a two-game series at Utah in late November, nearly every major New Orleans statistic has trended upward, including an 8-5 overall record (the Pelicans were just 9-9 following the sweep to the Jazz in the Delta Center). However, one area continues to be a glaring problem, an issue that’s largely responsible for each of the team’s three losses since Dec. 11: Clutch-time offense.
Over the past eight nights, New Orleans (17-14, seventh in the Western Conference) has lost home games to Memphis, Houston and Memphis again by margins of two, two and one point, respectively. The Pelicans have not been able to overcome an offensive attack that ranks 28th in clutch efficiency (just 93.8 points per 100 possessions when the score is within five points in the final five minutes of games).
“It’s not a secret – we struggle at the end of games, especially in the fourth quarter,” center Jonas Valanciunas said after Wednesday’s practice. “We need to do something better, man up and take the challenge. We’ve got to improve, from physicality, wanting it more. Being smarter. Everything has to improve.”
Jonas Valanciunas on where the Pelicans can improve 12/27/2023
In preparation for the Pelicans’ third meeting vs. Utah of the season Thursday (7 p.m., Bally Sports, 99.5 FM), the team spent additional time working on late-game execution during Wednesday’s practice.
“We’re trying to simulate the end-of-the-game situations,” Valanciunas said. “Practicing getting better at execution down the stretch of games.”
“We’ve got to own it,” head coach Willie Green said of confronting the club’s recent shortcomings with the outcome at stake in fourth quarters. “We had a good film session... We’ve got to make our free throws and we’ve got to take care of the ball.”
According to NBA.com, within its bottom-three clutch offense, New Orleans ranks last in turnover percentage (21.8) and is No. 23 in assist percentage (51.4), an indication that its ball movement dries up in critical moments. The Pelicans are 29th in clutch free throw percentage (63.6). They are shooting 76.2 percent from the foul line overall this season, a dramatic difference.
Willie Green talks film session after loss to Memphis Grizzlies 12/27/2023
Other notes from practice:
Second-year guard Dyson Daniels scored 11 points vs. Memphis on Tuesday, his top output since Nov. 18 vs. Minnesota (13 points). Green on Daniels’ performance: “It was really good. Dys has been really good for us this season. He had a stretch in that starting unit where I think they went 5-2, where he was really good for us. Had a little dip after that, then guys got healthy, so his playing time wasn’t as high as before.
“I loved the energy he brought last night, made some shots, defensively he was all over the place. Rebounding the ball, making some big plays. We just continue to see some growth for him.” …
Naji Marshall (right shoulder) and Herb Jones (struck in the head by Marcus Smart) were banged up in Tuesday’s game, but both were full practice participants Wednesday, as was Larry Nance Jr. (rib). Nance was listed as doubtful prior to the Memphis game and was a DNP.