Pistons 85 - 88 Pelicans
Final
  for this game

Pelicans look to bounce back vs. Pistons

Mar 4, 2015 - 3:06 PM

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(SportsNetwork.com) - The New Orleans Pelicans had a five-game winning streak snapped last time out, but they return home Wednesday for a three-game stay, starting with the Detroit Pistons.

The Pelicans are back at the Smoothie King Center, where they've won three straight. They'll entertain the Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies on this homestand.

On Monday, New Orleans lost to the Dallas Mavericks, 102-93, in Big D.

The Pelicans did not have Anthony Davis, and without the All-Star center, the Mavs won the battle in the paint, 50-24. Dallas also only turned the ball over seven times and forced 13 turnovers.

"The points in the paint certainly hurt us," Pelicans head coach Monty Williams said. "I thought we got a bit tired tonight."

Norris Cole led the Pelicans with 19 points, Eric Gordon scored 18 and Tyreke Evans added 17 in a losing effort. Alexis Ajinca recorded the only double- double of the night with 13 points and 12 boards.

New Orleans' Dante Cunningham scored on the opening possession of the third quarter, but the Pelicans missed their next 12 shots. Dallas' subsequent 16-0 run, highlighted by seven points from Richard Jefferson, gave the hosts the lead for good.

The Pistons have dropped three in a row and Wednesday's game is the second of a three-game road trip. Detroit will visit the Houston Rockets on Friday night.

On Saturday, the Pistons fell to the Washington Wizards, 99-95.

Greg Monroe tallied 21 points and 10 rebounds and Spencer Dinwiddie supplied 20 points and eight helpers for Detroit. Andre Drummond was the only other double-figure scorer for the Pistons with 13 points.

"We've been having problems at the beginning of games and that's something we have to work on," said Monroe. "I think we just have to come out and trust in what we do, trust the guys behind us."

The Pistons trailed by 10 after one quarter and 16 at the half. Detroit erased its 21-point deficit following a 15-4 run to start the fourth. Dinwiddie netted 10 points during the surge, including a putback dunk to give the Pistons an 85-84 edge with 6:48 remaining.

After Dinwiddie drove in for a finger roll with 18.9 seconds left to get Detroit within 96-95, Bradley Beal split a pair of foul shots, but Marcin Gortat secured the offensive rebound on the second miss.

John Wall then sealed the outcome following two free throws with 7.3 ticks on the clock.

The Pelicans have won five straight over the Pistons and five straight in the Big Easy.






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