Lillard scores 41 as Blazers beat the Pelicans, 107-103

The Portland Trail Blazers beat the New Orleans Pelicans to earn their seventh straight road win. Portland played without Maurice Harkless (left knee), who will undergo an arthroscopy. The timeline for his return is to be determined. New Orleans was without Rajon Rondo (wrist).

Some highlights of the Blazers win over the Pelicans.

Blazers in the First Half

Ugly start, friends.

Jusuf Nurkic was in foul trouble early, getting his first just 79 seconds into the game and his second with 4:51 left in the first quarter. But he would finish the game strong.

Damian Lillard got his second foul soon after.

And yet, despite the ugly start, the Pelicans led by just four points, 24-20, after one. Portland shot just 8-for-25 (32 percent) in the quarter.

It stayed ugly to start the second.

But Portland made just enough shots and stole just enough balls (six) to stay in it.

At the half: Pelicans 49, Blazers 46.

Blazers were lucky to keep it that close.

Blazers in the Second Half

The second half started much like the first, with the Blazers displaying a lackluster offense and a sluggish defense. Nurk especially was at a disadvantage since he entered the third quarter with three fouls.

With 6:46 left in the third, the Blazers were still down, 63-56.

CJ McCollum was struggling, shooting just 2-for-11 from the field (including 1-for-5 from three). He would never get on track, finishing the game with seven points on 3-of-19 shooting.

With about 5:15 left in the third, the Pelicans’ Anthony Davis fell to the floor holding his right ankle, but he was able to walk off the court under his own power and did not go to the locker room.

The Blazers pulled within three, 71-68, with 1:57 left in the third.

And, thanks mostly to Lillard, the Blazers took a five-point lead, 89-84, with 7:41 left in the game.

A Solomon Hill three with 5:57 left tied the game at 91.

But there was just too much Damian. He would score 20 points in the fourth quarter to finish with 41 points and nine rebounds.

There was a mad scramble at the end, but the Blazers still managed to pull out a win, despite not playing their best for much of the game.

Blazers win 107-103.

Next: Blazers must weather the storm(s) before the storm(s)

Up next: A quick turnaround. The Blazers play Wednesday in Memphis against the Grizzlies (20-54). Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. PDT.