Portland Trail BlazersOpen full analysis
New Orleans PelicansOpen full analysis
Portland defeated New Orleans 125–117 on November 12 at Smoothie King Center, with Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija combining for 67 points to power the Trail Blazers past the Pelicans. Sharpe led all scorers with 35 points while Avdija added 32, as Portland shot a crisp 57.8 percent from the field and matched New Orleans' 13 three-pointers made despite superior overall efficiency. The Trail Blazers dominated the third quarter with 38 points, a decisive 12-point swing that proved the difference in a close contest. New Orleans countered with D. Queen's 26 points and Shai Bey's 25, but the Pelicans' 47.3 percent shooting and defensive rating of 132.3 left them unable to keep pace. Portland's 39 rebounds and 26 assists demonstrated balanced execution, while the Blazers' 13 turnovers remained manageable against New Orleans' 10. The victory underscores Portland's third-quarter prowess and offensive firepower as the team looks to sustain momentum in the Western Conference standings.
