Pelicans at Trail Blazers
Anthony Davis felt the pressure dissipating in the final seconds of the opener and now he looks to help the New Orleans Pelicans take a 2-0 lead when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. Davis had never been part of a playoff win until the Pelicans posted a 97-95 victory on Saturday in the first game of the Western Conference first-round series.
Davis starred with 35 points, 14 rebounds and four blocked shots as the Pelicans stunned a Portland team that won 21 of its final 24 regular-season home contests. "It means a lot to get that monkey off your back and get your first win," Davis told reporters. "Now that's over with, and we want to come in Tuesday and get another one. That's our mindset." Portland will need an improved performance if it wants to even the series as it shot just 37.8 percent from the field as well as struggling to just 36 points in the first half. "I think it puts some pressure on us," star guard Damian Lillard told reporters. "You come in with home court, the first two games are on your floor, and you lose. And now they're saying in their locker room, 'We got one, why not get another?'"
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT, FS New Orleans, NBCS Northwest (Portland)
ABOUT THE PELICANS: Veteran point guard Rajon Rondo reminded folks why he earned the tag "Playoff Rondo" as he once again elevated his play and matched the franchise record for assists in a playoff game (17 by Chris Paul in 2008) as well as helped force Lillard into 6-of-23 shooting. Rondo has averages of 14.3 points, 9.2 assists and 1.9 steals in 97 career playoff games and coach Alvin Gentry appreciates the calmness he provides to younger less-experienced players. "I think there is a sense of confidence that he has, especially this time of the year," Gentry told reporters. "He's a really bright player. One of the smartest guys I've ever been around. ... I also think he has a way of giving confidence to the other guys. He makes them believe in themselves."
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS: Lillard had just 18 points in Game 1 and backcourt sidekick CJ McCollum scored 19 on 7-of-18 shooting as the duo connected on just 13-of-41 attempts. "I thought we just didn't make shots. Give credit to what they did defensively," Lillard said. "They were physical, and they were up trapping a lot of my pick-and-rolls. I think it just comes down to the way we shot. We did get a fair amount of good looks -- we just didn't knock them down." Center Jusuf Nurkic had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds but he was just 3-of-7 shooting in addition to having trouble defending Davis.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Davis has a 32.2 scoring average in five career playoff games and scored more than 25 in each game.
2. Portland backup PF Ed Davis collected 13 rebounds in just 20 minutes in Game 1.
3. New Orleans F Nikola Mirotic collected 16 points and 11 rebounds in Game 1 for his first career postseason double-double.