Even decreased, Portland continues behind Utah and continues to be the other good surprise in the Western Conference this season. Thursday evening, the Trail Blazers were however deprived of their star Damian Lillard (rested after playing the day before in Charlotte), Jusuf Nurkic (adductors) and Shaedon Sharpe (hit in one finger after his 17 points scored with the Hornets) to challenge the New Orleans Pelicans on their home floor. But they still obtained their third consecutive victory, the fourth in the last five meetings, all played away, and have a record of nine wins for three losses (2nd in the West with a victory for the Jazz). This success owes a lot to two players in particular: Jerami Grant and Anfermee Simons.
Grant had his most complete game of the season, falling just three points short of his personal best this year (27 against 30 scored against Phoenix last week) and contributing in all areas with 8 rebounds, 4 assists but also 4 interceptions or one against. The former Denver player was especially decisive after the break and, as a bonus, signed the action of the match with a magnificent dunk which concluded an action where he had first caught a cold Zion Williamson (top scorer of the match with 29 points).
“We want to win, summed up Grant about what makes the difference in Portland’s favor right now. We want things more than the other teams. When we go on the field, we really give everything we have. » Simons has compiled 23 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds despite an astonishing 0/5 two-pointer (and 5/13 three-pointer). The Pelicans, who return to balance (6 wins-6 losses), have experienced particular difficulties in execution with 17 lost balls (against 8 in Portland). Against his former team, CJ McCollum (13 points, 7 assists) had a complicated evening, losing five balls and converting only one of the seven winning shots he attempted. Portland will now try to confirm its excellent form on the road (6 wins out of 7) and end its long road trip of six matches with another success on Saturday on the floor of the Dallas Mavericks.