Just when it looked like the hapless New Orleans Pelicans might win their second straight game, they reverted to form.
The Pelicans blew a 9-point lead in the fourth quarter and fell 133-128 in overtime at home Wednesday night to Memphis at Smoothie King Center.
The Grizzlies outscored the Pelicans 11-6 in the overtime period for the win. The only six points for New Orleans in the extra period were a pair of 3-pointers by Jose Alvarado.
Otherwise, it was a stagnant offense that could not figure out how to handle a sagging defense where Zach Edey simply sat down low, waiting for Zion Williamson to approach the basket.
The strategy worked on Williamson, who has no real mid-range or perimeter game to compliment his bullish drives to the basket.
New Orleans started fast, jumping out to a 39-25 lead after one quarter, established a 17-point lead and took a 68-53 lead into halftime.
Once again, the Pelicans failed in the third quarter, allowing Memphis to score 39 points.
After Memphis rallied to take the lead late, Zion Williamson hit a driving, contested five-footer off the glass over the length of Jaren Jackson with 0.9 seconds remaining to force overtime.
Williamson then deflected the in-bound pass, resulting in a steal by New Orleans as time ran out in regulation.
In the overtime period, the Grizzlies smothered Williamson and Trey Murphy and New Orleans had no answer.
The Grizzlies played without Ja Morant, who is typically a thorn in the side of the Pelicans. It did not matter.
Alvarado had 24 points and five rebounds off the bench. Saddiq Bey had 18 points and 11 rebounds. Williamson scored 17 points but had five turnovers.
New Orleans shot 50 percent from the field but it was not enough as the Pelicans struggled on the defensive end as the Grizzlies shot 54 percent and outrebounded New Orleans 49-41.
Jaren Jackson had 27 points, Jaylen Wells scored 25 points and Edey was a force with 21 points and 15 rebounds.
This was a game ripe for the taking for the Pelicans. They simply were not good enough to get it done and simply do not know how to win, at this stage.
The Pelicans (3-16) hit the road for back-to-back games starting Saturday at Golden State followed by a Sunday matchup in Los Angeles against the Lakers.