/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59395093/usa_today_10786660.0.jpg)
Despite some fourth quarter magic, the Portland Trail Blazers dropped Game 1 of their playoff series against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night at Moda Center. The Blazers trailed almost the entire night, but managed to cut a double-digit fourth quarter deficit to a single point with under a minute remaining. They couldn’t come up with the big shot when it mattered, however, and the Pelicans eked out the 97-95 victory.
Anthony Davis had 35 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks for New Orleans, and Jrue Holiday chipped in 21 points. CJ McCollum led the Blazers with 19 points and Damian Lillard had 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Here are a few takeaway’s from tonight’s game:
- Star disparity. Lillard and McCollum combined to go just 1/15 from the field in the first half, while Davis and Holiday combined for 32 points. Things improved for Portland in the second half, but Davis and Holiday still finished with a combined 56 points to Lillard and McCollum’s 37 points.
- Playoff Rondo. Rajon Rondo again showed his knack for turning it on when the lights shine brightest. The veteran guard finished with six points, eight rebounds and a game-high 17 assists for the Pelicans, while also playing hard-nosed defense throughout the night.
- Block party. The Pelicans had 12 blocks as a team, including a key block in the final seconds by Holiday to keep the lead at three points. Davis and Nikola Mirotic each had four rejections on the night.
Highlights
Dame gets the second chance three, Nurk rejects on the other end #ripcity https://t.co/Q7dncn6uxC pic.twitter.com/lB15MLZZ8U
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) April 15, 2018
ET with the right-handed reverse #ripcity https://t.co/Q7dncn6uxC pic.twitter.com/mqIv1tgJFi
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) April 15, 2018
Ed Davis says GIMME THAT, slams it home #ripcity https://t.co/Q7dncn6uxC pic.twitter.com/9ujd7kS4JZ
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) April 15, 2018
Z Nowitzki with the fallaway jumper #ripcity https://t.co/Q7dncn6uxC pic.twitter.com/jh41Z2K3tX
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) April 15, 2018
Z with another fallaway jumper, this time featuring a mean mug #ripcity https://t.co/Q7dncn6uxC pic.twitter.com/tBmuCIoj7x
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) April 15, 2018
Turner goes baseline for the second chance bucket #ripcity https://t.co/Q7dncn6uxC pic.twitter.com/sPVF9BZKGv
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) April 15, 2018
When the whole arena yells at you to shoot it... Z with the uncontested three #ripcity https://t.co/Q7dncn6uxC pic.twitter.com/yt1eoyJ14O
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) April 15, 2018
Patty C gets the transition bucket to go #ripcity https://t.co/Q7dncn6uxC pic.twitter.com/fqzQXRTtTY
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) April 15, 2018
CJ & 1... need a lot more of that #ripcity https://t.co/Q7dncn6uxC pic.twitter.com/OvvylqIfZT
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) April 15, 2018
HOW?! ET with the putback bucket #ripcity https://t.co/Q7dncn6uxC pic.twitter.com/A5NDxTcm3Y
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) April 15, 2018
CJ with ANOTHER clutch three #ripcity https://t.co/Q7dncn6uxC pic.twitter.com/BOl4fvOVCN
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) April 15, 2018
What’s Next
Game 2 will be Tuesday night at Moda Center, with a 7:30 pm PT tip-off scheduled. Stay tuned for more analysis on tonight’s game from Blazer’s Edge.