The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the injury-depleted New Orleans Pelicans 118-100 on Monday night. Anfernee Simons led the way for the Blazers with 24 points.
Deandre Ayton contributed 19 points and 13 rebounds, playing a pivotal role in the team’s success. Both Toumani Camara and Jerami Grant added 16 points each.
Portland trailed for most of the first three quarters but surged in the fourth. Dalano Banton entered the game and scored an impressive 20 points in the final period.
Brandon Ingram was the lone usual starter available for New Orleans, finishing with 27 points. He carried the scoring load as the team faced significant injury issues.
Zion Williamson was absent due to right hamstring and quad tightness for a second consecutive game. The Pelicans also missed key players such as Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, and Herb Jones.
Brandon Boston Jr. stepped up with 20 points in his first start of the season, filling in for Jordan Hawkins. Jose Alvarado also made a notable contribution with 18 points.
The Trail Blazers showcased their strength around the basket. They shot 54.8% from the field, converting 46 of 84 attempts. Portland also held a 38-34 rebounding edge over New Orleans.
The Pelicans struggled offensively for the second game in a row. New Orleans was outscored in the paint, with Portland finishing with a dominant 66-38 advantage inside.
The key moment of the game came when Banton entered the contest. He scored eight points in five minutes, fueling a critical 10-2 run that put Portland ahead 94-89.
Banton’s overall performance was stellar. He shot 8 of 9 from the field, including 2 of 3 from beyond the arc during his time on the court.
