After winning their first two games by comfortable margins, the New Orleans Pelicans ran into the more motivated and focused squad on Monday afternoon. Although they outscored the Detroit Pistons by double figures in the fourth quarter, the Pelicans comeback attempt came up short, losing 105-97. The loss drops the Pelicans record to 2-1 in Summer League play.
The primary reason for the defeat was the Pelicans were completely unable to effectively protect the rim through the first three quarters. The Pistons blitzed the Pelicans for 61 points in the first half, with a number of their looks coming on easy lay-ins right at the hoop.