The Trail Blazers faced a tough loss against the New Orleans Pelicans due to late-game struggles, ultimately falling 105-103 at the Moda Center on Friday night. Despite starting strong, the Blazers couldn’t execute in the final moments of the fourth quarter, leading to their second consecutive loss of the season.
The game was tied at 103-103 when Blazer guard Anfernee Simons’ pass to DeAndre Ayton went out of bounds with 52.1 seconds left. Simons attempted a shot that was blocked by CJ McCollum, resulting in a jump ball with 30.1 seconds remaining. The Pelicans took advantage of the possession, with Brandon Ingram making a crucial 17-foot jumper to give them a 105-103 lead with only 4.9 seconds left on the clock.
In their final possession, Simons drove towards the basket for a layup, but his shot was blocked by Zion Williamson, sealing the victory for the Pelicans and handing the Blazers their second loss of the season. Despite the defeat, Blazers coach Chauncey Billups praised the team’s effort, stating that they played hard and gave their best on the court.
Forward Jerami Grant was a standout performer for the Blazers, scoring 34 points after making 11 of 23 shots, including 8 of 17 from beyond the arc. Simons added 24 points and seven assists, while Scoot Henderson contributed 15 points and six assists off the bench.
The Blazers started the game with the same lineup that struggled in their season opener, but they showed improvement against the Pelicans. Grant and Simons played a crucial role in helping the team establish an early lead, with Grant scoring the first 10 points of the game.
Despite their strong start, the Blazers faced challenges in the second quarter as the Pelicans closed the gap. However, the Blazers regained their momentum in the third quarter, with Grant once again leading the charge with his scoring.
Defensively, the Blazers showed improvement compared to their previous game against the Warriors. They were able to limit the impact of Pelicans’ star forwards Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, holding them to a combined 37 points on 12 of 35 shooting.
Rookie center Donovan Clingan also showed improvement in his performance, bouncing back from a tough debut with a more active presence on the court. Clingan grabbed six rebounds, made key blocks, and contributed on both ends of the floor.
Looking ahead, the Blazers will have a chance to redeem themselves as they face the New Orleans Pelicans once again on Sunday. Despite the tough loss, the team is focused on learning from their mistakes and putting up a strong fight in the upcoming game.