THE Portland Trail Blazers fell to the New Orleans Pelicans 126-107 on the road Saturday. After the game, head coach Chauncey Billups spoke with the media to discuss the game.
You can watch the full interview here or in the embed below.
The game, which remained competitive for three quarters before New Orleans ran away, featured strong performances for the Blazers. Dalano Banton scored 28 points (10-20 shooting), two points shy of tying his career high, and Deandre Ayton continued his streak of efficient play with 20 points (10-13 shooting) and eight rebounds . Anfernee Simons also had 25 points (on 9-18 shooting), eight assists and four rebounds. But the Pelicans presented too much firepower for Portland to handle, especially since New Orleans generated 31 points off 19 Portland turnovers.
Here are some key quotes from Billups’ availability.
On his general thoughts on the game:
I thought we played well. I mean, the biggest thing is turnovers. We can’t absorb that against a very good home team. We knew that’s what they were trying to do, they were trying to deliver to you. So, thanks to them, they did a very good job. You know, 31 points in turnovers, it’s hard to absorb that.
On Dalano Banton’s performance:
I thought his aggression in the first half fueled us enormously. This particular team, they’re trying to take [Anfernee Simons] get away with their denials in court. And it’s really important that everyone else be aggressive and attack when this happens.
And Dalano was amazing with it. His pace to get up the field, his aggressiveness when attacking the basket whether for a score or a chance… I was very happy for him, he played very well.
On the offensive growth of Toumani Camara (Camara displays 11 points on 5-12 shots, six rebounds and two blocks):
He was very aggressive offensively, that’s what I like. I want him to be aggressive, I want him to be smart, I want him to understand the playing time and the score, when to take what shots. And he’s doing better in that area, and I’m glad he’s doing a lot better in that area. And then, sometimes he makes reading errors.
… Toumani’s offense was really good. We know how much we depend on him and trust him defensively, but he’s improving so much on the other end.
The Blazers will play their next game on Monday, March 18 on the road against the Chicago Bulls at 5:00 p.m. PDT.
