THE Portland Path Blazers There most likely will not be many nights this season the place victory appears virtually inevitable.
However Monday evening for the depleted New Orleans Pelicans was a kind of nights, and the Blazers took benefit.
Nevertheless, it took time to achieve the ultimate consequence.
The Blazers overcame a troublesome first half and put collectively a scorching fourth quarter due to backup Dalano Banton to win 118-100 on the Smoothie King Heart in New Orleans.
The Pelicans had been lacking a number of key gamers, together with Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum.
However they nonetheless had Brandon Ingram. He scored 16 factors within the first half to assist the Pelicans lead 55-48 at halftime. The Blazers shot 3 of 13 from three-point vary within the first half and dedicated seven turnovers.
Within the third quarter, the Blazers shot 54.5 p.c from the sector, however nonetheless trailed 82-79 coming into the fourth.
That’s when Banton got here in and took over. In 12 minutes, Banton scored 20 factors on 8-of-9 taking pictures, together with 2-of-3 threes.
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups stated he seemed to Banton to provide him an offensive enhance.
“I felt like we wanted a little bit shot within the arm, offensively, after I walked him in early within the fourth quarter,” Billups instructed reporters. “And, clearly, 20 factors in 1 / 4 is greater than a lift,”
Banton’s layup at 7:38 gave the Blazers a 90-89 lead. Two minutes later, he scored once more within the paint to make it 98-91.
Banton’s efficiency helped the Blazers shoot 75 p.c from the sector within the quarter and 71.5 p.c from three-point vary. Portland gained the quarter 39-18.
Anfernee Simons led the Blazers with 24 factors and Deandre Ayton contributed 19 factors with 13 rebounds.
Ingram led the Pelicans with 27 factors.
Portland Path Blazers ahead Jerami Grant (9) circles round New Orleans Pelicans middle Daniel Theis (10) throughout the first half of an NBA basketball sport in New Orleans , Monday, November 4, 2024. (AP Picture/Matthew Hinton) APP.A.
WHAT THIS MEANS
The Blazers (3-5) would have had no excuse to lose to the Pelicans (3-5), who had been lacking Williamson (hamstring), McCollum (proper adductor pressure), Herb Jones (proper adductor pressure), proper shoulder), Trey Murphy III (proper hamstring pressure) and Dejounte Murray (left hand fracture).
Billups stated he worries about enjoying groups that flip to backups to interchange starters, as a result of reserves who get an opportunity for extra minutes usually play with a number of fireplace. And that is what occurred originally.
“I used to be simply proud that we had been capable of keep centered,” Billups stated.
BANTON STRIKES AGAIN
That is the second straight sport the place Banton supplies an enormous enhance coming off the bench.
In Saturday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns, Banton performed virtually the whole fourth quarter and scored 12 factors on 5-of-7 taking pictures whereas making 2-of-4 threes. He additionally added two assists and a steal.
That is 13 of 16 (81.3%) from the sector in two video games whereas scoring 32 factors in 24 minutes.
After a 3-point basket by Portland Path Blazers guard Dalano Banton (#5), the bench notably celebrates ahead Toumani Camara (33) throughout the second half of an NBA basketball sport in opposition to the New York Pelicans. Orleans to New Orleans, Monday November 11. 4, 2024. (AP Picture/Matthew Hinton)APP.A.
UPDATE FROM ROBERT WILLIAMS III
Backup middle Robert Williams III was accessible Monday for the primary time this season however didn’t play.
Williams has been sidelined since injuring his left hamstring earlier than the beginning of the preseason.
He missed 76 video games final season with a critical knee harm.
FOLLOWING
The Blazers play on the San Antonio Spurs (3-4) Thursday at 5 p.m.
–Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Fb)
