Asked by reporters after Wednesday’s practice to explain why New Orleans has been so much better at home (7-6) than on the road (3-15) this season, Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson jokingly gave a succinct, one-word response: “Pierre.”
Although the team’s lovable mascot certainly can be helpful in whipping the Smoothie King Center crowd into a frenzy, there are other, more tangible reasons behind the split in effectiveness. The Pelicans will try to continue the positive half of that equation Thursday, when they host the Clippers on New Year’s Eve (7 p.m., Fox Sports New Orleans, WRNO 99.5 FM).