NEW ORLEANS (Interstat) — The New Orleans Pelicans halted a four-game slide with a dominant 143-120 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night at Smoothie King Center. New Orleans, which improved to 4-22, never trailed after a 39-point first quarter and led by as many as 26. The Pelicans’ 131.1 offensive rating and 58-for-112 shooting from the floor overwhelmed Portland. Trey Murphy led six Pelicans in double figures with 24 points. Portland, which fell to 9-16, got 21 points from Shaedon Sharpe but shot just 44.1% from the field and was out-assisted 10-5. The teams combined for 263 points, easily surpassing the pregame over/under of 237.5.

NEW ORLEANS (Interstat) — In a season defined by frustration, the New Orleans Pelicans authored a stunning and complete reversal of fortune Thursday night, dismantling the Portland Trail Blazers 143-120 at Smoothie King Center. The victory, witnessed by 13,448 fans, snapped a five-game losing streak for the Pelicans and served as a emphatic response to a 125-117 loss to Portland just a month prior. It was a game dominated from the opening tip by a New Orleans offense that operated with ruthless efficiency against a porous Portland defense. The most important part of the game was the Pelicans’ immediate and sustained offensive onslaught, which effectively decided the contest in the first quarter. New Orleans erupted for 39 points in the opening period, shooting a blistering 58% from the floor and setting a commanding tone. This early explosion, fueled by a balanced attack, built a lead that Portland, despite its own scoring efforts, could never realistically threaten. The Pelicans led by nine after one quarter, extended it to 14 by halftime, and cruised through the second half, their advantage never dipping below double digits. This initial burst demoralized the Trail Blazers and established a game-long rhythm of New Orleans scoring at will. The Pelicans’ offensive execution was historically sharp. They finished the game shooting 51.8% from the field and an efficient 37.5% from three-point range. More critically, they committed only eight turnovers while dishing out 31 assists on 58 made field goals, a stark contrast to Portland’s five assists and 15 turnovers. New Orleans also dominated the glass with 19 offensive rebounds, leading to 29 second-chance points and 109 total possessions, which they converted at a rate of 131.1 points per 100 possessions. Trey Murphy led the Pelicans with 24 points, adding five rebounds and four assists, continuing a run of strong individual performances. He was complemented superbly by Bryce McGowens, who contributed 23 points and seven rebounds. Derik Queen orchestrated the offense from the center position, tallying 17 points, five rebounds and a game-high seven assists. Jeremiah Fears provided a major spark off the bench with 19 points and six rebounds, while Saddiq Bey recorded a near double-double with 15 points and eight rebounds. Portland, which entered the game as a significant favorite with a 76.2% projected win probability according to National Statistical’s ELO system, never found a defensive answer. The Trail Blazers fell to 9-16 with the loss. They were led by Shaedon Sharpe’s 21 points and a 20-point effort from Sidy Cissoko. Deni Avdija filled the stat sheet with 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists, and Rayan Rupert added 14 points off the bench. However, Portland’s offense, which scored 120 points on 44.1% shooting, was undermined by poor ball movement and defensive lapses. The Trail Blazers’ five total assists highlighted a stagnant, isolation-heavy attack that could not keep pace with New Orleans’ fluid ball movement. The Pelicans’ 143 points marked a season high and the fourth time they have scored over 140 this season, though it resulted in only their fourth win against 22 losses. The combined score of 263 points sailed over the pregame over/under line of 237.5. New Orleans set the agenda early, leading by as many as 26 points in the fourth quarter before both teams emptied their benches. The Pelicans will look to build on this performance when they begin a two-game road set against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday. Portland, meanwhile, returns home to host the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, seeking to halt a two-game skid. The two teams will meet again in New Orleans on Jan. 2.

Preview: Trail Blazers at Pelicans NEW ORLEANS (Interstat) — Two teams seeking to halt slides will meet Thursday when the Portland Trail Blazers visit the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. The Trail Blazers (9-15) have lost three of their last four, including a 119-96 defeat at Memphis on Sunday. The Pelicans (3-22) are mired in a nine-game losing streak, most recently falling 135-132 to San Antonio on Monday despite a historic performance from rookie Derik Queen. Portland will lean on forward Deni Avdija, who has been a consistent triple-double threat. Over his last 10 games, Avdija is averaging 26.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 8.4 assists, including a 31-point, 19-rebound, 10-assist performance against Oklahoma City on Nov. 30. He had 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in the loss to Memphis. New Orleans’ hope rests on the continued emergence of Queen, the overall pick in the 2025 draft. The center recorded his first career triple-double with 33 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and four blocks in the narrow loss to the Spurs. His playmaking has been a bright spot for a Pelicans team that ranks near the bottom of the league in defensive efficiency. The teams met earlier this season on Nov. 12, with Portland securing a 125-117 victory in New Orleans. Avdija posted 28 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in that win. While Portland holds the superior record, their road form has been inconsistent. The Pelicans, despite their record, have shown offensive sparks, scoring over 130 points in three of their last five games but struggling to get stops. The game pits Portland’s 14th-ranked offense against New Orleans’ 29th-ranked defense. The Pelicans will need to find an answer for Avdija’s all-around game and contain Portland’s supporting scorers like Jerami Grant and Shaedon Sharpe to have a chance at ending their skid. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.