Portland Trail Blazers Secure First Win of the Season Against New Orleans Pelicans
In a decisive showing on Sunday, the Portland Trail Blazers triumphed over the New Orleans Pelicans with a score of 125-103, marking their inaugural win for the season. Jerami Grant emerged as the standout performer, contributing 28 points to the team’s victory, while Anfernee Simons added 27 points alongside six assists.
Deandre Ayton also played a significant role, recording a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. This win was particularly sweet for Portland as they were looking to rebound from a narrow 105-103 defeat against the same Pelicans just two days earlier.
On the other side, CJ McCollum scored 27 points for New Orleans in this matchup. The game began with the Pelicans taking an early 8-0 lead, but the Blazers responded strongly, entering halftime with a solid 59-47 advantage. Portland continued to widen the gap in the second half, leading by as much as 24 points at one stage.
The Blazers showcased their dominance on the boards, out-rebounding the Pelicans 51-39, which included a noteworthy 22-15 advantage in offensive rebounds.
In terms of notable performances, Pelicans coach Willie Green mentioned a minutes restriction for Zion Williamson, who played 29 minutes in the previous game against Portland. Unfortunately, Williamson faced challenges, shooting only 3 for 12 in this contest as he struggled to find his rhythm.
Meanwhile, Blazers player Deni Avdija had a tough outing with a shooting performance of 5 for 21, including a disappointing 1 for 8 from three-point range, over the two games against New Orleans. Coach Chauncey Billups acknowledged the need to create more opportunities for Avdija as the team works to integrate him more effectively into their lineup.
A pivotal moment occurred when Portland rookie Donovan Clingan successfully blocked Williamson’s shot twice in the first half, contributing to Williamson’s struggles, as he ended the first half shooting only 2 for 9.
Additionally, a key statistic from the game was New Orleans’ struggle from beyond the arc, hitting only 1 out of 13 attempts (7.7%) in the first half, contrasted with Portland’s more favorable 8 for 22 (36.4%).
Looking ahead, the Pelicans are set to face the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, while the Trail Blazers will travel to Sacramento on Monday for their next challenge.