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Bringing the heat in the final quarter, Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton led the Portland Trail Blazers to a solid 118-100 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans who struggled without their key players on Monday night.
Blazers’ Firepower Overwhelms The Pelicans
Simons lit up the scoreboard with 24 points, while Ayton dominated the boards with 13 rebounds, adding 19 points to his tally. The Trail Blazers also saw significant contributions from Toumani Camara and Jerami Grant who chipped in 16 points each. The Blazers found their rhythm in the final quarter, overhauling a deficit that had persisted for the better part of the game.
Dalano Banton: The Fourth Quarter Catalyst
The turning point arrived when Dalano Banton, entering the game in the fourth, unleashed a scoring spree of 20 points, becoming the catalyst for the Blazers’ comeback.
Pelicans’ Struggle Amidst Injury Woes
On the other side, the Pelicans had to make do without their usual starting roster. Brandon Ingram, the lone starter, was the standout performer for New Orleans, with 27 points. However, the absence of key players including Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, and Herb Jones, coupled with sidelined reserves Trey Murphy III and Jordan Hawkins, proved too much for the Pelicans to overcome.
Standout Performances and Key Moments
Brandon Boston Jr. filled the void left by Hawkins, contributing 20 points while Jose Alvarado added 18 points for New Orleans. However, it was Banton’s energy that sparked a crucial 10-2 run in the fourth quarter, giving the Blazers a comfortable 94-89 lead from which they never looked back.
Key Stat: Dominance in the Paint
The Blazers outperformed the Pelicans in the paint, shooting 54.8% (46 of 84) and outrebounding their opponents 38-34. After Atlanta dominated the Pelicans 66-32 inside the paint the previous night, the Blazers continued the trend with a 66-38 advantage.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
The Trail Blazers will now shift their focus to their Thursday night clash with San Antonio, while the Pelicans will be hosting the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night to wrap up their four-game homestand.
