Portland Trail Blazers vs New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Predictions October 27th 2024

Pelicans Eye Another Fourth-Quarter Victory Against the Trail Blazers

The New Orleans Pelicans return to the court on Sunday, facing the Portland Trail Blazers in a rematch that promises high energy and fierce competition. New Orleans rallied for a thrilling 105-103 victory over Portland on Friday, erasing a nine-point deficit in the final quarter. It was a statement win, showing that the Pelicans’ emphasis on closing out games is paying off.

New Orleans Rises to the Occasion, Even Without Murray

In the offseason, the Pelicans brought in Dejounte Murray to sharpen their fourth-quarter execution, but a fractured hand has sidelined him for four to six weeks. Despite his absence, the Pelicans showed notable improvement in crunch time, something that had been a weak spot last season. Head coach Willie Green spoke about the team’s focus on minimizing errors when it counts most.

“That’s something that we’ve paid attention to, and we’re going to continue to work at it,” Green said. “In clutch situations, no turnovers, quality looks, and defensive rebounds are essential, and we did that on Friday.”

Stepping up in Murray’s absence was Jordan Hawkins, who delivered a breakout performance. The second-year guard scored a team-high 24 points, with 15 of those coming in a thrilling fourth quarter. Hawkins’ hot hand in the second half provided New Orleans with the push they needed to pull ahead, especially as Zion Williamson struggled from the field. Williamson still contributed with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, demonstrating his commitment to impacting the game even when his shot wasn’t falling.

“It’s big for us to win a game like this where my offense was just terrible,” Williamson noted. “Finding other ways to impact the game is crucial for our success long term.”

Blazers Look to Close Stronger

Portland led by as much as 16 points on Friday and played markedly better than in their previous blowout loss to the Golden State Warriors. Head coach Chauncey Billups commended his team for their effort, highlighting a performance that felt more representative of Portland’s identity.

“This is more who we are—competing and scrapping,” Billups said. “We didn’t win, but we played our hearts out.”

Jerami Grant was instrumental for Portland, pouring in 34 points and hitting a career-high eight 3-pointers. His shooting helped the Blazers keep control for much of the game. Still, Grant acknowledged that late-game poise is something Portland needs to improve to avoid similar outcomes in close matchups.

“They kept giving me catch-and-shoot 3s that were open, so I kept taking them,” Grant shared. “We controlled the game most of the way but let it slip away toward the end. We’ve got to be a little more poised going down the stretch.”

What to Watch For in Sunday’s Game

1. Pelicans’ Late-Game Execution
New Orleans’ emphasis on smarter, tighter play down the stretch has been a focal point, and Friday’s win showed they’re progressing. Without Murray, Hawkins’ shooting and Williamson’s leadership will be critical if they’re to make another statement in the fourth quarter.

2. Portland’s Composure in Crunch Time
The Blazers lost their grip on a strong lead in Friday’s loss. Expect Portland to focus on closing out with greater composure, especially if they establish an early advantage again.

3. Zion’s Versatility
Though Williamson struggled with his shot, his rebounding and playmaking were pivotal. His ability to affect the game in various ways makes him a game-changer, even when he’s not scoring efficiently.

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Game Outlook

With New Orleans showcasing stronger late-game execution and Portland hungry to close out effectively, this rematch is set to be another intense, closely contested showdown. Both teams are eager to build momentum in these early matchups, and fans can expect another battle that goes down to the wire.