pelicans vs trail blazers opens Thursday night as New Orleans travels to Portland while trying to snap a five-game losing streak. New Orleans Pelicans (25-51, 12th in the Western Conference) and Portland Trail Blazers (38-38, ninth in the Western Conference) meet at the Moda Center; the game tips at 10: 00 PM ET on Thursday, April 2. The matchup has playoff implications for Portland’s push toward the No. 8 play-in seed and offers New Orleans a chance to stop a slide that has included multiple blowouts.
Pelicans Vs Trail Blazers: Stakes and Form
Portland enters with a stronger recent run: seven wins in its last 10 and 7-3 over the last 10-game sample, averaging 116. 8 points while holding opponents to 105. 5. New Orleans is 4-6 over its last 10, averaging 112. 3 points while allowing 115. 1. In the pelicans vs trail blazers matchup this season, Portland has won the last meeting 122-109, when Deni Avdija scored 34 points; this will be the fourth meeting between the clubs this year.
Season records underline the gap: the Trail Blazers are 38-38 overall and have compiled a 25-21 record against Western Conference opponents; the Pelicans are 25-51 overall and 16-31 versus the West. Portland ranks seventh in the Western Conference with 32. 0 defensive rebounds per game, led by Donovan Clingan averaging 7. 2. New Orleans is second in the NBA, scoring 57. 4 points per game in the paint, led in that category by Zion Williamson averaging 15. 7.
Key Players, Roles and Injuries
Portland’s current production leans on Deni Avdija, who is averaging 23. 8 points, 6. 9 rebounds and 6. 7 assists, and guard Scoot Henderson, who has averaged 15. 1 points over his last 10 games. For New Orleans, Zion Williamson is scoring 21. 3 points per game while averaging 5. 7 rebounds; Saddiq Bey has been a perimeter threat, averaging 2. 8 made 3-pointers over his last 10 games.
Availability figures could matter late: Portland lists Jerami Grant out (calf), Shaedon Sharpe out (calf), Vit Krejci out (calf) and Damian Lillard out for the season (Achilles). New Orleans lists Trey Murphy III day to day (ankle) and Bryce McGowens day to day (toe). These statuses shape rotation depth and matchup options in the fourth meeting of the season.
What to Watch and What’s Next
Expect Portland defense and rebounding to dictate pace; the Trail Blazers have limited opponents in their recent surge and rank strong for defensive rebounds. New Orleans will need to convert inside — the Pelicans’ paint scoring has been a season strength — and shore up defense after conceding high point totals in recent losses.
Tip is scheduled for 10: 00 PM ET on Thursday, April 2; the result will matter for Portland’s positioning around the No. 8 play-in slot and for New Orleans’ effort to end its slide. The pelicans vs trail blazers contest should sharpen the playoff picture and set immediate storylines for both clubs heading into the season’s final stretch.
