The New Orleans Pelicans returned home to face the Portland Trailblazers and the game started off fast. Unfortunately fast did not mean well for the Pelicans as the Blazers raced out to a huge lead. The lead would get to as high as 20 points in the second quarter as Gerald Henderson was abusing the Pelicans. Overall the defensive effort was porous in the first half as the Blazers would put up 67 points and it looked almost effortless. Effortless is also the accurate way to describe the Pelicans defense in the first half. Things also got bad to worse for the Pelicans as Anthony Davis would suffer a undisclosed knee injury in the first half which would sideline him for the remainder of the game. The second half was a lot better for the Pelicans as they would climb all the way back from a 67-53 halftime deficit to take the lead late in the 4th quarter after some superb play by Ryan Anderson and Jrue Holiday. The 4th quarter featured a number of highlights that got the crowd going such as Ryan Anderson posterizing dunk, Kendrick Perkins clothesline of Damian Lillard. After Kendrick Perkins was ejected the crowd was active and engaged all game. Sadly the game seemed to be decided after Jrue Holiday was called for a foul on Damian Lillard when it appeared to be a clean block. Ultimately the Pelicans comeback effort was cut short and they would fall 117-112. Here are the grades from tonights barn burning affair.
Grades: New Orleans Pelicans valiant comeback effort falls just short against Portland Trailblazers
