Final
Tired Blazers head to the Big Easy
Dec 20, 2014 - 2:16 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Portland Trail Blazers will take a four-game winning streak into the Smoothie King Center Saturday night when they take on the New Orleans Pelicans.They will also take some seriously tired bodies to the Big Easy.
Portland's fourth straight win came in triple-overtime Friday night when it dispatched the reigning NBA champion San Antonio Spurs, 129-119, in Alamo City.
Damian Lillard had a career-high 43 points, LaMarcus Aldridge scored 32 and the Blazers pulled away in the third overtime to top the Spurs. Lillard hit game-tying 3-pointers in regulation and the first overtime and scored nine of Portland's 17 points in the third overtime as the Blazers wrapped up their second consecutive road win.
"I was really proud of the way we kept competing," said Portland coach Terry Stotts. "Obviously it helps to make some big shots, but there was a lot of trust in moving the ball."
Aldridge added 16 rebounds, but both he and Lillard played over 52 minutes.
Wesley Matthews chipped in 16 points in just under 50 minutes. Dorell Wright (12) and Steve Blake (10) also finished with double-figure scoring nights for the Blazers, who only committed 14 turnovers despite 63 minutes of game action.
Nicolas Batum sat out the game after a nasty fall against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. His availability for Saturday was still up in the air.
The Pelicans have won two in a row to get over the .500 mark and creep into the eighth spot in the Western Conference. They've won four of their last five at home with the only loss coming to the Golden State Warriors, which is nothing to be ashamed of.
On Thursday, New Orleans picked up a fantastic win, a 99-90 decision over the Rockets in Houston.
Anthony Davis tallied 30 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks to lead the Pelicans. Davis recorded his third 30-point, 10-rebound, 5-block game over the last two seasons. No other NBA player has posted those numbers in that span
Jrue Holiday finished with 16 points and 10 assists and played his best basketball down the stretch to help the Pelicans win. Holiday scored half of his points and dished out three assists in the final period.
"I think there were only 20 people that thought we'd win tonight, and they were all in that locker room," said Pelicans coach Monty Williams. "We certainly feel good about the win and the way we played."
Ryan Anderson and Dante Cunningham contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively, off the bench, and Omer Asik grabbed 11 boards for New Orleans.
The Blazers bested the Pelicans in Portland on Nov. 17 and have won three straight in the series. New Orleans is 3-1 in its last four games versus Portland in the Big Easy.
Dec 20 9:16 PM- PORTLAND: 94
NEW ORLEANS: 62
End of 3rd
Dec 20 8:45 PM - PORTLAND: 62
NEW ORLEANS: 44
Halftime
Dec 20 8:06 PM - PORTLAND: 32
NEW ORLEANS: 17
End of 1st
Dec 20 7:33 PM - PORTLAND: 0
NEW ORLEANS: 0
1st Quarter - 11:45
Dec 20 7:12 PM
Related News
- Sharpe, Ayton Questionable Against Kings Dec 25
- How Long Will It Take the Trail Blazers to Be Good Again? Dec 25
- What Was Your Biggest Trail Blazers Disappointment of 2023? Dec 25
- What’s Your Biggest Trail Blazers Joy This Year? Dec 25
- How Is the Moda Center Experience This Season? Dec 25
- A Christmas Gift for the Portland Trail Blazers Dec 25
- NBA Christmas Day Schedule Open Thread Dec 25
- The 12 Highlights of Trail Blazers Christmas Dec 24
- Favale: Trail Blazers Need to Clear Runway More for Youth Dec 24
- Send Your Questions for Tuesday’s Blazers vs. Kings Game! Dec 24
- Tyler Herro is NOT the Coal in Joe Cronin’s Stocking this Christmas Dec 24
- Billups: Warriors ‘Kicked our Butts’ on Rebounds Dec 24