----- Brandon Ingram scored a team-high 40 and CJ McCollum finished with 24 points and seven assists as the New Orleans Pelicans ride a strong fourth quarter to top the Portland Trail Blazers 121-110 Wednesday night at Moda Center.
Brandon Ingram scored a season-high 40 points and CJ McCollum added 24 points and seven assists as the New Orleans Pelicans defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 121-110 Wednesday night at Moda Center.
With Ingram leading the charge, the Pelicans used their size and length to dominate the paint and frustrate Damian Lillard when Anfernee Simons left the game after reaggravating his right ankle.
New Orleans (31-32) scored 58 points in the paint and connected on 51.7% of their field goals.
Damian Lillard scored a game-high 41 points on 12-of-22 shooting and Jerami Grant added 28 points and four rebounds.
Portland had a 91-90 edge heading into the final quarter. But Ingram had back-to-back jumpers that gave New Orleans a 108-99 lead midway through the period.
New Orleans outscored Portland 31-19 in the fourth quarter.
Notes- Chauncy Billups had no update on Simons status following the game and did not know if he would undergo an MRI. Jusuf Nurkic will travel with the team on the upcoming road trip. He is close to returning to the lineup.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers begin a six-game road trip Friday in Atlanta against the Hawks. The game is scheduled to tip off at 4:30 PM.
Chad's Take- A myriad of issues for the Trail Blazers right now. Lack of size is near the top.