The New Orleans Pelicans’ winning streak came to a screeching halt Tuesday night.
The Pelicans fell 141-118 to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, ending a run of five consecutive wins.
It snapped the Pels’ longest winning streak since December of the 2022-23 season.
A 3-point barrage by the Cavaliers made sure that streak didn’t get to six.
The Cavs knocked down 20 of 49 3-pointers in the game. The Pelicans, meanwhile, made 11 of 26. Getting outscored by 27 from beyond the arc was too much to overcome.
"We didn't get much done at all defensively," Pelicans interim coach James Borrego said. "They got what they wanted. We own it. One of our poorer performances defensively. We just could not get our hands on them and no momentum defensively at all."
The Cavaliers entered the game attempting 43.7 3-pointers per game, which ranks second in the NBA.
Borrego talked before the game about the importance of defending 3-pointers.
“We have to do our part to get out there and be aggressive in our contests,” Borrego said. “Get the guys off the line that we deem necessary and then fly around from there. Offensively, we have to do what we do and be who we are.”
It didn’t happen though. The Pelicans trailed by as many as 18 in the first half before cutting the deficit to 69-60 at the break. But the Cavs outscored the Pels 41-31 in the third quarter to pull away.
"From start to finish, a poor defensive effort," Borrego said.
The 141 points was the second-most points the Pelicans have allowed this season. The most was 146 in an overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Zion Williamson, playing in back-to-back games for the first time since last October, led the Pelicans.
“Z is progressing well,” Borrego said before Tuesday’s game. “He looks well. He’s getting in better shape every game, every day. His mentality is right. His spirit is right. That’s the biggest thing for me. The mindset is right. The body is coming along every day. Getting better and better.”
One night after scoring 24 points and grabbing nine rebounds in a home win over the Dallas Mavericks, Williamson came off the bench again and finished with 26 points and five rebounds against the Cavaliers. But it wasn’t nearly enough.
Derik Queen scored 21 points to go with his seven rebounds and five assists.
It was the Pels’ fourth straight loss to the Cavs (17-14).
The Pelicans (8-23) were also without Herb Jones (right ankle sprain) and Jordan Poole (left ankle soreness).
Trey Murphy finished with 14 points. Saddiq Bey and Jeremiah Fears scored 11 points each.
Donovan Mitchell’s 27 points led the Cavs. Sam Merrill finished with 22 points, including 6 of 10 on 3-pointers.
The Pelicans return to action Friday when they play the first of back-to-back home games against the Phoenix Suns.