Deni Avdija scores 34 as Blazers extend Pelicans’ misery
Deni Avdija scored 34 points and dished 11 assists, and the Portland Trail Blazers sent the host New Orleans Pelicans to a sixth consecutive loss with 122-109 decision on Friday.
Avdija buoyed the Blazers for much of the first half, having scored almost half of Portland's points deep into the second quarter.
Once his teammates came alive offensively, including Shaedon Sharpe (23 points), the Blazers created separation in the second half after rallying from a 10-point first-quarter deficit.
Portland opened the fourth quarter outscoring the Pelicans 17-7 to build a 20-point lead.
Five Blazers scored in double figures, with Donovan Clingan, Toumani Camara and Caleb Love joining Avdija and Sharpe. Love connected on a career-high-matching six 3-pointers en route to 22 points off the bench,
Camara added 14 points while Clingan posted a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Nine of those boards came on the offensive glass, helping Portland earn a 24-17 advantage on second-chance points.
Kris Murray scored six points, shooting just 1 of 7 from the floor, but his three steals contributed to Portland forcing 15 New Orleans turnovers. The Blazers cashed in the takeaways for 23 points.
In hitting three times as many 3-pointers (16 to eight) as the Pelicans, Portland negated the Pelicans' 68-46 edge for points in the paint.
Zion Williamson provided the bulk of the interior scoring punch on his way to 35 points, his third consecutive outing with at least 31 and a season high. He also grabbed eight rebounds.
With New Orleans down usual starters Trey Murphy III, Derik Queen, Herbert Jones and Saddiq Bey, the Pelicans lineup around Williamson saw several typical reserves with opportunities to contribute. Jeremiah Fears responded with 18 points, Jordan Poole scored 16 and Bryce McGowens added 13.
Karlo Matkovic came off the bench to score 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the floor, doing the majority of his damage in the first half with 12 points at the break.