The New Orleans Pelicans' struggles continued on Wednesday night as they fell to the Atlanta Hawks, extending their losing streak to nine games. This loss marks the second time this season that the Pelicans have found themselves in such a slump, and it's a trend that's hard to ignore. But here's where it gets controversial: is it the team's shooting accuracy or their decision-making that's the real issue?
The Pelicans' shooting night was rough, to say the least. They made just 8 out of 28 three-pointers, while the Hawks made 18 out of 47. The Pels also committed 19 turnovers, which is a significant number. The lack of firepower was too much to overcome, and the Pelicans' starting five on Wednesday included players like Jeremiah Fears, Jordan Poole, Zion Williamson, Karlo Matkovic, and Derik Queen. Despite some strong performances, like Williamson's 22 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, the team struggled to find their rhythm.
The Pelicans' previous nine-game losing skid came during a stretch from Nov. 8 to Nov. 22, and the ninth loss in that skid also came against the Hawks. This time, the Pelicans were without key players like Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Saadiq Bey, and Jose Alvarado, who average a combined 53.8 points per game. The lack of firepower was too much to overcome, and the Pelicans struggled to find their footing.
The Pelicans will try to avoid a 10-game losing streak on Friday when they play at the Washington Wizards. But with a lack of firepower and a struggling shooting accuracy, it's going to take more than just a few changes to break this losing streak. And this is the part most people miss: it's not just about the shooting; it's about the team's overall performance and decision-making. So, what do you think? Is it the shooting accuracy or the decision-making that's the real issue? Let us know in the comments!
