NEW ORLEANS (AP) — CJ McCollum scored 30 points, Zion Williamson had 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 126-107 Saturday night for their sixth victory in seven games.
Brandon Ingram scored 22 points and blocked four shots, and Trey Murphy added 20 points for the Pelicans, who shot 53.6% (52 of 97) and opened a competitive game in the fourth quarter. McCollum made six of the Pelicans’ 13 3-pointers and Murphy scored four.
The victory brought the Pelicans (41-26) 1 1/2 games back Los Angeles Clippers (42-24) for fourth place in the Western Conference.
Portland Guard Dalano Banton scored 28 points, his third time scoring 25 or more points in his last six games, including a career-high 30 points on March 8 against Houston. Anfernee Simmons scored 25 and Deandre Ayton had 20 points for the Blazers, who shot 50% (42 of 84).
New Orleans was without defensive leader Herb Jones, who injured his elbow and hip in a hard fall during Friday night’s victory against the Clippers. The Pelicans were also wholeheartedly forward Larry Nance Jr.who suffered from a non-COVID-related illness.
Jones’ absence seemed to affect the tenor of the match.
Both teams shot over 63 percent in what looked like a defense-optional first half, in which Williamson and Banton each scored 20 points.
Williamson shot 9 of 11 at halftime, scoring mostly on explosive drives. He also converted a few alley-oop lobs.
In the final seconds of the half, Williamson rose to his feet to grab a contested lob from Ingram on the left side of the hoop and executed an off-balance layup before crashing down the court. That gave New Orleans a 73-68 lead at the break.
FOLLOWING
Trail Blazers: Visit Chicago Monday night.
Pelicans: Visit Brooklyn Tuesday night.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
