The Cleveland Cavaliers suffered yet another humiliating loss this season, getting blown out by the New Orleans Pelicans 133-98 on their home floor.
The 35-point defeat sent the Cavaliers to their ninth straight loss. They also own the NBA’s worst record at 8-32.
Tristan Thompson wasn’t very happy after the game. He called out the team for their lack of effort on both ends of the floor:
The veteran big man has a point, as the Cavs’ defense allowed the Pelicans to shoot 58 percent from the floor and 52 percent from deep. They could not get it done on offense either, shooting just 41 percent from the field.
The Cavs allowed seven Pelicans to score in double figures, led by All-Star forward Anthony Davis, who tallied 20 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists.
Jordan Clarkson led the Cavaliers with 23 points, four rebounds, and three assists off the bench. Thompson had 10 points and 11 boards.
Cleveland only trailed 61-52 at the end of the first half, but came out lethargic in the third period, allowing the New Orleans to score 37 points.
Cavs head coach Larry Drew summed up the team’s third-quarter effort in a short statement:
“The start of the third quarter we were flat. No energy. We didn’t have a sense of urgency. Why that is, after we talked about it, I don’t know.”
If the Cavs would like to turn their season around, they will have to work collectively, as eight of their next 10 games will be against playoff contenders.
They will host the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday before going on a six game Western Conference road trip, which will see them go up against the Pelicans, the league-leading Denver Nuggets, and the Los Angeles Lakers.
