MEMPHIS, Tenn. — If Joe Dumars wanted to see the toughness and grit from the New Orleans Pelicans that he promised, he saw it in the season opener.

But the victory he wants to see will have to wait for another day.

The new-look Pelicans showed plenty of fight in Wednesday night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies, but it wasn’t quite enough.

The Dumars’ era started the same way the David Griffin era ended — with a loss.

This one, much like many of the ones in last year’s dismal season, was the result of the Pelicans being unable to finish what they started.

The Pelicans completely collapsed in the third quarter, then scrapped back into it before losing 128-122 to the Grizzlies.

The Pelicans were outscored 41-22 in the third quarter before making it a game in the fourth.

“They turn

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