Mirotic, Pelicans’ supporting cast fell short in crucial loss to Blazers

Jrue Holiday recorded his 1st triple-double of the season for the @PelicansNBA with 21 PTS, 11 REB, 11 AST! #DoItBig pic.twitter.com/XIMg8pbkpk

— NBA (@NBA) March 28, 2018

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Pelicans had their four-game win streak snapped with a 107-103 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Anthony Davis overcame a sprained ankle he suffered in the third quarter to post 36 points, 14 rebounds, and six blocked shots. Jrue Holiday added 21 points, 11 boards, and 11 assists for his first triple-double of the season.

In a season full of historic performances, the Pelicans became just the second team in NBA history to have four players pull of the feat in the same season.

Holiday also provided two highlight reel blocked shots in the final minutes that helped stave Portland off as long as possible.

However, Damian Lillard scored a game-high 41 points on 18-33 shooting, posting 20 in the fourth quarter alone.

“(Lillard) did what he always did…just took over,” said CJ McCollum, who struggled on his way to seven points on 3-19 shooting. “What is most impressive is I don’t think he came out the whole second half and he pushed through. I’ve always said the best thing about him is his will. He is at a crazy, different level. He always steps up. It is unreal.”

The same could be said of Davis, who had the entire Smoothie King Center holding its breath when he went down under the home team’s basket in the third quarter. For a moment, the Pelicans’ future laid on the hardwood, pounding his fist and grabbing his leg.

Davis visibly limped throughout the rest of the game, and with his explosiveness severely limited, he scored 16 points in the fourth quarter on 6-7 shooting, doing most of his damage on the low block.

Yet, many of the Pelicans failed to show up, particularly the bench and specifically Niko Mirotić. The Pels’ backups scored 22 points on 7-26 shooting. Mirotic contributed two points, going 1-for-6 from the floor (0-3 3PA) in more than 19 minutes of play.

Solomon Hill took Mirotić’s spot in the crunch time rotation after the power forward displayed horrendous shot selection and lethargic defensive effort.

This continues a late season swoon for the trade deadline acquisition. His scoring average is down nearly three points per game since February and he’s shooting career-lows in field goal percentage (.381) and three-point percentage (.296).

Over his last 10 games he’s been even worse. Mirotić is averaging 8.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. His shooting percentage has plummeted to 29 pct. and he’s embarrassing himself behind the arc, firing blanks at a 22.5 percent clip. Amazingly, he continues to let ‘em fly, attempting more than four threes each night.

Mirotić was brought in with the sole purpose of providing spacing for Davis with his shooting and a consistent third scoring option behind AD and Holiday.

Instead, he’s become a liability to the team. He fires of three-pointers from far beyond the line early in the shot clock. He dares not foray into the low post as evidenced by his failure to take on 5-9 Isaiah Thomas in the Pels’ win over the Lakers last week.

Mirotić is a better player than this, or at least he’s supposed to be. If he doesn’t get his game together quickly, the New Orleans Pelicans increase their likelihood of a very brief postseason appearance.