Blazers swept by Pelicans, first team to go home in playoffs

The New Orleans Pelicans complete its sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers, becoming the first team in the 2018 playoffs to advance to the second round.

Game 4 started off better than the last three. Instead of falling way behind in the first or early second quarter, the Blazers stuck close through halftime. Then, the Pelicans broke away midway through the third quarter behind a monster performance by Anthony Davis. While the Blazers showed fight until the final buzzer, it couldn’t get the stops needed to complete the comeback.

Four games into the 2018 playoffs and Portland is the first team heading home.

Game Story

First Half

The Blazers jumped out to an early 9-3 lead, but two fouls on Damian Lillard drained momentum for Portland. No team could take control through most of the first quarter, though.

After one, the Pelicans rode 54% shooting to a 26-25 lead. While the Blazers trailed, it was far closer than the 7-point average first quarter deficit in the series.

New Orleans threatened to break open a big lead in the second quarter. A 6-0 run led by Evan Turner prevented this and forced a NOP timeout, the game tied at 35. Spicing up a back-and-forth game, Ed Davis and Anthony Davis were assessed double technicals for a brief shoving match.

The tensions stuck around as CJ McCollum committed a hard foul on E’Twaun Moore. After the foul, Moore shoved McCollum, creating an all-involving scuffle – CJ got a flagrant and E’Twaun a technical.

But they weren’t done for the half. Referees called Zach Collins on a loose-ball foul and Rajon Rondo slapped the dead ball out of his hands. Collins didn’t appreciate, getting in Rondo’s face and starting yet another scuffle/double-technical.

Through all the pushing and shoving, Portland trailed New Orleans at half, 56-58.

Second Half

Anthony Davis outscored the Blazers through the first four minutes of the second half. Behind him, the Pelicans opened up its largest lead of the game at 9.

Like the last three games, New Orleans’ defense and fast transition to offense caught Portland off-guard. That, combined with 60% shooting, put the Pelicans ahead by 15 with 3:43 left in the third.

Every potential Blazers comeback was squashed by an open NOP player hitting his shots. Portland failed to break the double-digit deficit barrier and after three quarters, they fell behind, 87-100.

But Rip City wasn’t going to let its season end like this. In a final push, Terry Stotts elected to begin the fourth quarter with the starters on the floor. Nurk and CJ helped Portland slim the margin down to 6; Alvin Gentry called a timeout to stop the season-reviving run.

The Blazers kept up its energy, bringing the game within 2 points with 8 minutes remaining. It stayed close, but Portland couldn’t regain the lead. Every time they scored, the Pelicans had an answer (mainly by Anthony Davis).

Down 4 with under a minute left, Jrue Holiday stepped on the baseline for a massive Pelicans turnover. After review, however, the play was overturned and the 6-point deficit was too much for 40 seconds.

The game, and Portland’s season, ended, 131-123.

Player of the Game

CJ McCollum and Al-Farouq Aminu split player of the game for Rip City’s last of 2017-2018.

Once again, the Pelicans defense focused purely on Damian Lillard, leaving these two to carry the offense. McCollum finished with 38 points on 15/22 shooting and Aminu 27 points on 11/20 shooting and 5 three-pointers.

In the fourth quarter, both connected on nearly every opportunity. CJ finished off numerous transition baskets while Chief took advantage of open looks from three to bring Portland back from the double-digit deficit.

Additionally, Aminu knocked down two crucial jumpers in the third quarter to slow the Pelicans run.

Play of the Game

In another sad playoff game, the highlight came from Zach Collins’ unwillingness to stand down. Although this play resulted from a stupid loose ball foul with no time on the clock, Collins did not hesitate to retaliate versus Rondo.

New Orleans’ guard swiped the ball out of his hands and likely added a few words. The rookie stepped right up and responded with words of his own. Both were assessed a double-technical, the second set of the game.

5 Stats from the Game

• The Blazers shot an impressive 50/95 (52.6%) from the field, but the Pelicans shot better, 45/79 (57%).
• This afternoon’s loss is Portland’s 10th straight in the playoffs.
• The Blazers finished with 20 team assists. Rondo alone accounted for 16.
• Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday combined for 88 points on 30/57 shooting and 24/29 free throws.
• The Blazers turned the ball over 6 times, compared to 24 in Game 3.

Next: Series stats tell same story as we see on TV

And just like that, the Portland Trail Blazers’ season is over. Despite 49 wins, the Western Conference third seed and home court advantage, the Blazers were swept by a New Orleans Pelicans team missing DeMarcus Cousins.

This unfortunate playoff result certainly means changes in Portland this offseason. Stay tuned for Rip City Project’s analysis of potential moves to improve the current roster.