Pelicans predictably pounded at Brooklyn

It had to be what was expected.

The Brooklyn Nets have the deepest, most talented team in the NBA.

That does not necessarily mean the Nets will win the NBA title.

Defense is not a strong point for the Nets but defense is the weakest point of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Once again, the total lack of defense on the part of New Orleans led to a total destruction.

The Nets blistered the nets in a 139-111 victory at home Wednesday night.

Brooklyn had 115 points in just three quarters. It was hard to watch if you are a Pelicans fan.

The Nets scored at will.

Brooklyn shot 55.4 percent from the field, including 46.3 percent from three-point range.

Kevin Durant had missed 23 games but it did not show.

Durant went 5-for-5 from the field, scoring 17 points with seven rebounds and five assists in just 19 minutes.

Once again, an opposing team destroyed the Pelicans slack defense in a quarter, this time, in the second quarter as Brooklyn sank 14-of-18 field goal attempts and scored 43 points.

Once again, everyone shoots it well against the Pelicans and it is no coincidence.

It you pick and roll, pick and pop or reverse the basketball and make an extra pass, you will get great looks against New Orleans.

When the Pelicans chase shooters, layups and dunks result with extra passes.

With the defense concentrated on him, Zion Williamson was just 4-of-12 from the field for 16 points in 23 minutes as his streak of 20+ point games ended.

Eric Bledsoe had 26 points but he was ejected from the game when he was assessed a second technical foul in the fourth quarter.

In his second game, Isaiah Thomas had 12 points off the bench. He will continue to get a long look on his 10-day contract, with a chance to earn a permanent roster spot in the balance.

The Pelicans were terrible from distance, making just 6-of-27 (22.2%) from three-point range. Lonzo Ball had 15 points but was just 1-of-6 from three-point range.

James Johnson, who has looked good, was not good on this night, making just 2-of-12 shots from the field. Jaxson Hayes was solid with 11 points and six rebounds off the bench.

It will not get any easier as the Pelicans host Eastern Conference power Philadelphia Friday night at Smoothie King Center.

It does not appear that any of the injured players, including Brandon Ingram, will return.

Josh Hart is out long-term, Nickeil Alexander-Walker will miss weeks and Kira Lewis Jr. is not quite ready yet so the current cast will have to take center stage against Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and company.

The loss to the Nets on national television was disappointing but it was predictable. What else would you have expected, given the circumstances and matchup?