Two nights after blowing a 17-point lead with just over six minutes to play in a brutal 125-124 loss at Portland, the New Orleans Pelicans tried it again Thursday night against the Blazers in Portland.
This time, there was no drama as Portland overcame a fast Pelicans start as New Orleans took a six-point lead before the Blazers grabbed a 17-15 lead with just under five minutes left in the opening quarter and never trailed again in a 101-93 victory over the Pelicans
The Pelicans were never out of it. In fact, they were in touch throughout but could never get it closer than six points in the final quarter. You never really got the feeling that the Pelicans were going to win this one.
The Blazers, particularly Damian Lillard, picked up where they left off Tuesday night.
After scoring 50 points in the win Tuesday night, Lillard came out smoking Thursday evening.
Lillard pumped in 21 points, including five 3-pointers in the first quarter to pace the Blazers to a 31-23 lead. Portland built a 57-48 lead by halftime.
Trailing 75-62, the Pelicans went on an 8-0 run late in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 75-70 before trailing 77-70 by the end of the quarter.
Lillard cooled off, finishing with 34 points after his brilliant first quarter.
Zion Williamson did what he could, scoring 26 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.
Brandon Ingram was not good. Ingram scored just 19 points and was just 7-of-20 from the field. Lonzo Ball had 15 points and eight assists.
New Orleans shot the ball poorly in all phases.
The Pelicans were just 33-of-83 (39.8%) from the field, 10-of-37 (27%) from 3-point range and just 17-of-25 (68%) from the free throw line.
One area New Orleans is typically good at is on the boards but Portland outrebounded the Pelicans 50-44.
Portland shot just 37.2 percent from the field but won because the Blazers outscored the Pelicans 42-30 from 3-point range and 21-17 at the free throw line.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored six points off the bench but was just 2-of-10 from the field, including 2-of-8 from 3-point range.
On this night, the team that normally cannot defend was plenty good enough on the defensive end of the floor but fell way short of expectations on the offensive end of the floor.
Now a disappointing 17-24, the Pelicans play at Denver Sunday at 2 p.m.
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March 19, 2021 at 11:39AM
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