Pelicans vs. Trail Blazers Preview: Two Consecutive Matchups in Three Days, Pelicans Aim for Third Straight Win

On October 28, the NBA regular season continues with a Western Conference matchup as the Portland Trail Blazers host the New Orleans Pelicans for their second game in three days. After two games, the Trail Blazers have lost both, averaging only 103.5 points per game while giving up 122.5 points per game. The Pelicans, on the other hand, have won both of their games, averaging 114 points per game and allowing 107 points per game. In their previous meeting, the Pelicans rallied in the fourth quarter with a 30-19 run to secure a 105-103 comeback victory over the Trail Blazers. Four Pelicans players scored in double figures, with Brandon Ingram contributing 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, Trey Murphy hitting 4 threes for 24 points, Zion Williamson shooting 4-of-15 but still delivering a comprehensive stat line of 16 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 blocks, and CJ McCollum hitting 4 threes for 20 points. Despite a strong start, the Trail Blazers also had four players in double figures, with Jerami Grant making 8 of his 17 three-point attempts to score a game-high 34 points, Anfernee Simons going 6-of-20 for 24 points and 7 assists, Shaedon Sharpe scoring 15 points, and Jusuf Nurkić adding 10 points and 15 rebounds.

After the departure of Damian Lillard, the Trail Blazers are currently in a rebuilding phase, with minimal changes to their roster during the offseason. They traded for Deni Avdija from the Washington Wizards along with some draft picks, but Avdija struggled in the last game against the Pelicans, scoring just 2 points on 1-of-9 shooting. The 7th overall pick, Keyshawn Allen, is still developing and his contributions have been inconsistent.

The Pelicans made significant changes to their roster during the offseason, with Jonas Valanciunas and Larry Nance Jr. leaving the team. Daniel Theis joined as the new starting center, and the addition of Dejounte Murray was expected to boost the team’s offensive firepower. However, Murray suffered an arm fracture in his first game and will be out for 4-6 weeks, a setback for the team. Rookie forward EJ Liddell has seamlessly integrated into the rotation and has become an important part of the Pelicans’ frontcourt, contributing 20 points and 13 rebounds in two games, making him a solid bench presence.

In terms of injuries, besides Dejounte Murray, the Pelicans will also be without Trey Murphy for an extended period. The Trail Blazers are missing three key players: Robert Williams, Josh Hart, and Matisse Thybulle. On paper, the Pelicans have a slight edge, and it will be challenging for the Trail Blazers to secure their first win of the season, especially after being overturned by the Pelicans in their last meeting, which could affect their morale. Winning this game will be a tough task for the Trail Blazers.