Pelicans at Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers lost franchise icon LaMarcus Aldridge to free
agency in the offseason and have a whole new look as they open the
season against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. Point guard Damian
Lillard is the only returning starter on a squad that is looking to win
a record 15th consecutive home opener, which would break a tie with the
Boston Celtics (1979-92).
Aldridge departed for San Antonio, and center Robin Lopez, small forward Nicolas Batum and shooting guard Wesley Matthews also left. Former New Orleans forward Al-Farouq Aminu might qualify as Portland's top offseason addition, and he is dealing with a hamstring injury. Pelicans standout Anthony Davis suffered through a dreadful 4-of-20 shooting performance while scoring 18 points in Tuesday's season-opening 111-95 loss to the Golden State Warriors but the Trail Blazers fear the power forward. "He is an incredibly gifted athlete," Portland coach Terry Stotts told reporters. "He’s skilled at both ends of the floor. He gets better every year with his shooting and passing and shot blocking. He has an impact on the game at both ends of the floor, and I don’t want to rank the big men of the league, but certainly he’s at the top of the list."
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans, KGW (Portland)
ABOUT THE PELICANS (0-1): The loss to the Warriors in Alvin Gentry's debut as coach was disheartening as New Orleans was outrebounded 56-33 and gave up 94 points in the first three quarters before Golden State cruised to the finish. Davis had only six rebounds and committed five turnovers in a rare off-night for a player now receiving superstar billing. The biggest bright spot in the opener was the play of recently signed journeyman point guard Ish Smith, who had 17 points and nine assists off the bench with both Tyreke Evans (knee) and Jrue Holiday (leg) sidelined.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (2014-15: 51-31): Lillard averaged 21 points per game last season and might hoist enough shots to win himself a scoring title with Aldridge out of picture. Shooting guard C.J. McCollum is receiving the chance to be a difference-maker as the backcourt will have to make up for the offensive shortcomings of the frontcourt. "We have to go out there and just play," Lillard told reporters. "We have to let it be what it is, no second thoughts, no hesitation. And that goes for everybody. Obviously with me and (McCollum) being the primary scorers out there, that’s the way we have to play."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Trail Blazers swept last season's three meetings and have won 11 of the past 14 in the series.
2. Holiday hasn't been cleared to play in back-to-back games and will start against the Trail Blazers.
3. Portland SG Gerald Henderson (hip) had surgery in July and hasn't yet been cleared to play.