NBA Tank Rankings: Spreading holiday misery in Philadelphia

team. 69. <p>Alvin Gentry’s team has been performing better of late, but the Pelicans reminded a national television audience of their miserable start on Christmas. New Orleans dropped an exceedingly winnable game to Miami after some highly frustrating end-of-game moments (hi, Tyreke Evans), and the Pelicans are now just 9-20 on the year.</p> <p>The biggest issue for the Pelicans from a season-long perspective remains their spotty defense, as New Orleans ranks second-to-last in the NBA in defensive efficiency. That unit was undoubtedly better against Miami on Christmas, but the offensive pieces don’t necessarily fit together either, and there is an unholy burden on Anthony Davis to carry the load.</p> <p>The Pelicans aren’t this bad, but there is a limit on how many times I can utter that phrase in this space.</p>. (9-20). Previous: . new orleans pelicans. 4

Previous: . portland trail blazers. 3. team. 34. <p>The Blazers have largely escaped from the bottom five this season, but a five-game losing streak brings Portland to the table in this week’s edition. To be honest, the Blazers have probably outperformed their talent level in amassing an 11-20 record, and that was certainly true prior to that five-game skid.</p> <p>Portland management has done a reasonable job in plugging the holes left by a rebuilding job, but we have seen how vulnerable this team is to an injury to Damian Lillard and/or C.J. McCollum over the past few days. The Blazers have a respectable net rating (-2.6 points per 100) on the year, but if they continue to defend at the rate they put forth this week (116.7 points allowed per 100), that good faith will quickly evaporate.</p> <p>Hopefully, Lillard and McCollum will remain in the lineup and this team will stay competitive.</p>. (11-20)