Pelicans struggle early, late in loss at Indiana

The NBA is unforgiving.

In the midst of an 82-game regular season schedule, teams play a host of back-to-back games.

The most difficult of those are on the road.

The New Orleans Pelicans faced that dilemma Wednesday night.

On Tuesday, the Pelicans whipped the Knicks in New York, boarded a plane at 11 p.m. but engine problems forced the team to remain in New York until 3:15 a.m. before taking off.

The team landed in Indianapolis at 5 a.m. and got to the hotel and finally, most likely to sleep by 6 a.m.

The Pelicans looked the part to start the game against the fast-paced Pacers, who sprinted out to a huge lead early and that huge lead proved to be the difference as Indiana downed New Orleans 123-114.

The Pacers assisted on 13 of 16 made field goals in the opening quarter as Indiana blitzed New Orleans, taking a 40-24 lead. The Pacers led by as many as 20 points in the half.

The Pelicans awakened in the second quarter, pulling within six points at 57-51 before the Pacers closed the half strong to take a 64-53 lead.

Willie Green opted to play small to start the second half against the smaller, quick Pacers, going with Larry Nance Jr. in place of Jonas Valanciunas at center.

The smaller lineup was more effective as New Orleans won the final three quarters by a small margin but it was not enough.

Zion Williamson re-entered with 3:24 to play and the Pelicans trailing 112-107. The Pelicans got it within three points but ran out of gas as the Pacers dominated to stretch the lead to 123-111 with under a minute to play.

Brandon Ingram led New Orleans with 30 points, including a perfect 13-of-13 from the free throw line. Williamson and CJ McCollum each scored 23 points. Herb Jones scored 14 points and Trey Murphy III had 11 points off the bench.

Valanciunas did not play in the second half and played just seven minutes, going scoreless for the first time this season. Naji Marshall struggled with no points and four turnovers in 28 minutes.

Without Valanciunas, New Orleans was outrebounded 50-40, predictable as the Pelicans have no other strong rebounders. The Pacers, who lead the league in shots per game, got off 102 field goal attempts to just 90 for the Pelicans.

The Pacers, who play at the fastest pace in the NBA, outscored New Orleans 21-8 in fast break points.

Tyrese Haliburton is the NBA leader in assists and pure star point guard, something New Orleans lacks. Haliburton was the difference early and late, finishing with 17 points and 13 assists with just one turnover.

Just as no one felt sorry for the Knicks Tuesday night when they played without four starters in a loss to the Pelicans, no one feels sorry for the Pelicans for their travel woes and playing back-to-back games on the road.

It was a good effort by the Pelicans. McCollum, Ingram and Williamson were all questionable and all elected to play under the difficult circumstances. The will is there. Now, they have to find a way.

It is an unforgiving league.

The Pelicans (35-25) will seek forgiveness Friday night when the same two teams will meet again Friday night in New Orleans.