THE Portland Path Blazers took full benefit of the exhausted New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night time, profitable 119-100 on the Smoothie King Middle.
The Blazers dominated from the beginning, profitable the primary quarter 40-24 then taking a 75-42 lead into halftime. Their 75 first-half factors and 68.9% capturing have been season highs.
“Clearly the primary half offense stands out,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups instructed reporters. “However for me, it was the protection that obtained us going.”
The Pelicans received the third quarter 34-23 however by no means posed a risk to return again on this one.
Ahead Deni Avdija led the Blazers with 26 factors on 10-of-17 capturing. Shaedon Sharpe shot 8-of-13 for 21 factors and Anfernee Simons added 17 factors on 7-of-11 capturing.
Total, the Blazers shot 54.5 % from the sphere (third highest this season) whereas producing 62 factors within the paint, in comparison with 44 for the Pelicans.
New Orleans noticed its season derailed early when accidents started to mount.
Ahead Zion Williamson, who missed 30 video games with a hamstring damage, returned to the courtroom in Tuesday’s loss to Minnesota however didn’t play towards the Blazers. Ahead Bandon Ingram (sprained ankle), who missed 20 video games, and guard Trey Murphy III (sprained ankle), who missed 15 video games, have been additionally unavailable.
Portland Path Blazers ahead Deni Avdija (8) drives to the basket between New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray, left, and middle Yves Missi within the first half of a basketball recreation within the NBA in New Orleans, Wednesday January 8, 2025. (AP Photograph/Gérald Herbert) APP.A.
That left CJ McCollum and Dejounte Murry to hold the offensive burden for the Pelicans, and so they had no pictures towards the Blazers.
McCollum scored 23, whereas Murray added 20. They shot 18 of 31 from the sphere (58.1%). The remainder of the staff shot 22 of 59 (37.3%).
Billups stated his solely concern at halftime was his staff turning into complacent with such a big lead.
“We have to keep away from a disappointment within the second half,” Billups stated. “So it’s nonetheless very tough.”
The Pelicans compelled motion within the third quarter, however the Blazers pulled again sufficient to keep away from permitting New Orleans to get again into the sport.
WHAT THIS MEANS
The Blazers (13-23) improved to 2-2 on their journey and received their season sequence with the Pelicans 3-1. New Orleans (7-31) is final within the Western Convention.
That is solely the fourth time the Blazers have held an opponent to 100 factors or fewer this season. The staff’s 119 factors rank seventh. The margin of victory comes first. The earlier excessive was reached when the Blazers received 122-108 towards Minnesota at house on November 12.
CLINGAN OUT, WILLIAMS IN
Rookie middle Donovan Clingan was rested, however backup middle Robert Williams III performed after lacking three video games. He performed 16 minutes, scoring 4 factors and 6 rebounds.
“He simply makes a distinction,” Billups stated. “He actually is. His sense of the sport, his instincts are at a really excessive stage. His IQ is at a really excessive stage.
FOLLOWING
The Blazers will play a recreation at 5 p.m. Thursday towards the Dallas Mavericks.
–Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Fb)
