AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
The New Orleans Pelicans blew a 19-point halftime lead during Tuesday’s 115-113 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in Ja Morant’s first game of the season, and Zion Williamson pointed to the defense as the culprit.
“He was able to do whatever he wanted,” Williamson told reporters when speaking about Morant. “We didn’t get no stops. They scored almost every possession.”
Defense wasn’t an issue for New Orleans in the first half.
In fact, the Grizzlies scored just 16 points in the second quarter and seemed well on their way to another loss in what has been a disappointing start to the season. However, Memphis poured in 74 points in the second half and won on a Morant buzzer-beater.
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JA WINS IT AT THE BUZZER 🚨 pic.twitter.com/2g7lKLKvwL
The two-time All-Star finished with 34 points, eight assists, six rebounds, two steals and one block in a performance that suggested he could lead the 7-19 Grizzlies back into contention in the Western Conference.
It was his first appearance this season following a 25-game suspension he was given for brandishing a firearm in an Instagram Live video. Memphis struggled mightily in his absence, and it didn’t help that Marcus Smart has been sidelined by an injury.
He wasn’t the only one who played well against the Pelicans’ defense.
Jaren Jackson Jr. posted 24 points and six rebounds, while Desmond Bane added 21 points and five assists.
Brandon Ingram led the way for New Orleans with 34 points and six assists, while Williamson was just 5-of-12 from the field for 13 points and three rebounds. Had he been more effective, especially with Jonas Valančiūnas notching a double-double of 22 points and 14 rebounds, the Pelicans likely would have won.
The defensive struggles were also apparent down the stretch, which hasn’t always been the case for a solid unit that is 12th in the league in defensive rating, per NBA.com.
New Orleans will look to get back on track when it hits the road to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.
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