Pelicans Bounce Back With Victory Against Injury-Riddled Trail Blazers

After an atrocious defensive performance on Friday night, the Pelicans buckle down versus the Blazers to get a much needed win.
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The New Orleans Pelicans won an ugly game against the Portland Trail Blazers 93-84 on Saturday night. Zion Williamson missed the game, still dealing with a foot injury. The Pelicans played Friday night against the Lakers, and the quick turnaround didn't allow Zion to be ready for Saturday. New Orleans improves to 10-3 after a loss in the last 13 losses.

Aside from Williamson, both teams fought the injury bug for this game. Dyson Daniels and Cody Zeller were out for the Pelicans, while the Blazers missed out on a bunch of offensive firepower. Scoot Henderson, Malcolm Brogdon, Anfernee Simons, and Shaedon Sharpe all missed Saturday's game. Those four players account for 67 points on a nightly basis for Portland. Without them in the lineup, the Blazers offense struggled most of the night, but so did the Pelicans.

Brandon Ingram
Feb 10, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; New Orleans Pelicans small forward Brandon Ingram (14) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33, behind) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans made a conscious effort to get Trey Murphy III involved early in the game. Murphy III started in place of Zion Williamson and led the Pels in scoring with seven first-quarter points. Trey attempted just three shots in Friday's loss to the Lakers, so it was important for him to be involved. New Orleans went 7-0 in fastbreak points in the first quarter and shot 52% from the field. The Pelicans lead 29-24 after one.

Both teams struggled to score in the second period, but New Orleans used a late 10-2 run to close the half. Murphy III again scored seven points in the period for a game-high 14 points. Two Blazers starters, Jerami Grant and Deandre Ayton, each scored ten points to lead Portland. The Pelicans held the Blazers to 2/10 shooting from beyond the arc in the half. Both teams failed to score 20 points in the quarter, but the Pels led by seven at the break.

It was deja vu in the third quarter, with both teams struggling to score the basketball. New Orleans again failed to score 20 points in the quarter, and the Pelicans held a slim 64-63 lead after three. The Pelicans were happy to get Naji Marshall back after the forward missed three straight games with back soreness. Marshall was a major catalyst in the Pels' 12-4 run in the middle of the fourth quarter to push the lead close to double-digits. 

Marshall made two huge three-point shots, and the defense stiffened up down the stretch. After giving up 87 points in one half to the Lakers on Friday, New Orleans surrendered just 84 the entire game to the Blazers. Trey Murphy III led all scorers with 24 points on 7/10 shooting, while Brandon Ingram scored 17 points and dished out nine assists. The Pels forced 18 turnovers off the Blazers, leading to 26 points off turnovers. 

New Orleans has one more road game on their 'Mardi Gras' trip Monday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. They follow that with a home game against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday before the All-Star break. 


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Terry Kimble
TERRY KIMBLE

Pelicans Scoop Writer