The Portland Trail Blazers lose tonight’s must-win by double-digits, falling behind 0-3 in the series versus the New Orleans Pelicans.
Once again, the Blazers stuck with the Pelicans for the first few minutes. After that, Portland let the game slip and spent all game trying to make it up. The guards continued to struggle versus New Orleans’ defensive scheme and committed 12 turnovers for 5 assists.
Game Story
For the first time all series, the Blazers came out hot from three-point land. Al-Farouq Aminu traded two straight threes with Nikola Mirotic and Damian Lillard connected on his first two attempts.
However, the shots continued to fall for the Pelicans. As Portland turned the ball over or missed low-percentage attempts, New Orleans consistently found the open man for easy buckets. By the end of the first quarter, the Blazers trailed, 20-36.
More from Rip City Project
- Blazers News: Portland signs FIBA WC standout center
- Blazers News: Portland re-signing failed lottery pick
- 8 Do-overs the Portland Trail Blazers Wish They Had During Last Decade
- Portland Trail Blazers NBA 2K24 team, player ratings
- Woj: Blazers, Lillard ‘fully prepared’ for star to be with team in training camp
Shabazz Napier returned to his midseason form to kick off the second quarter. He stole the ball from Ian Clark twice for fastbreak buckets and assisted CJ McCollum‘s first made shot.
Six turnovers in eight possessions and an overall lack of hustle pushed the Blazers into a deeper deficit. A few threes from Aminu and McCollum brought the game within 11 and gave the team life, but a swift turn of shooting luck pushed New Orleans back in front by 19 at the half.
Jusuf Nurkic, after a long second quarter rest, bullied Anthony Davis and swatted an alley-oop attempt to get the Blazers within 14 early on. An 8-0 run helped by sloppy Blazers-backcourt play gave the Pelicans its largest lead of the game.
As expected, the Blazers kept afloat with a 10-0 run, slimming the gap to 15 points. This time New Orleans wanted to build an insurmountable lead in response. By the end of the third, Portland trailed, 70-91.
The starters couldn’t make a dent in the deficit and out came Portland’s deep bench with 7 minutes remaining in the fourth. They outscored New Orleans’ bench, but the game ended, 102-119.
Player of the Game
Al-Farouq Aminu wins tonight’s player of the game with no competition. Lillard, Nurkic and Harkless struggled from the field, while McCollum continued his offensive tunnel-vision.
Aminu finished with 21 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals and one block. He shot 8/15 from the field, 3/8 from three-pointer and kept Portland moving offensively when no one else would. Chief also supplied the Blazers with its best defender of Anthony Davis, who still had a field day.
5 Stats from the Game
- Jusuf Nurkic played 9 minutes in the first half, scoring 2 points and grabbing 1 rebound. He finished 5 points and 7 rebounds in 20 minutes.
- The bench scored 2 points in 49 minutes of play before they came in for the blowout.
- Portland turned the ball over 24 times and only passed for 19 assists.
- Damian Lillard recorded 8 turnovers and 2 assists.
- Nikola Mirotic scored 30 points on 12/15 shooting and 4 threes – this broke his playoff career-high in points.
Next: Blazers fans should hope Napier stays
The reeling Portland Trail Blazers stay in New Orleans for Game 4. Down 3-0 in the series, Game 4 is literally a must win. Tonight’s loss could’ve made the comeback possible, but a second round advancement is looking very unlikely.