Defense has been an issue for the New Orleans Pelicans all season and the start of tonight was no different. The Hornets tallied 23 points within the first six minutes of the game, prompting Alvin Gentry to yank two starters: Omer Asik and Orlando Johnson.
For much of the rest of the game, New Orleans stayed small and that included Toney Douglas and Alonzo Gee starting the second half. It didn't entirely solve the Pelicans' problems, but it at least gave them a fighting chance to win the game down the stretch.