The Portland Trail Blazers are demonstrating remarkable momentum, having secured seven wins in their last nine contests, as they prepare for a pivotal matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. This game holds significant implications for Portland's standing in the Western Conference play-in tournament. Bolstered by recent organizational shifts, including the approval of a new ownership, the team exhibits a reinvigorated drive to succeed. Their pursuit of a higher seed in the postseason continues to be a central focus as the regular season draws to a close.
Portland's recent surge saw them ascend above the .500 mark with a decisive 114-104 road victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. This win brought them within half a game of the eighth spot in the Western Conference standings. Furthermore, they are striving to close a 3.5-game gap behind the Phoenix Suns for the seventh position, with only five games remaining on their schedule. The team's strong performance coincides with the NBA's approval of the Trail Blazers' sale to Tom Dundon, also the owner of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, signaling a new era for the franchise.
Blazers coach Tiago Splitter expressed optimism regarding the new owner's vision, describing him as "intense" and "driven to win." Splitter highlighted the shared pursuit of excellence within the organization, acknowledging the challenges ahead but emphasizing the team's commitment to fighting through their remaining games. A significant portion of Portland's final regular-season schedule includes formidable opponents, with three of their last five games against teams already locked into playoff or play-in contention, including matchups with San Antonio, Denver, and another encounter with the Clippers.
Conversely, the New Orleans Pelicans find themselves in a challenging position, having been eliminated from postseason contention and arriving in Portland on a five-game losing streak. Despite an earlier period where they won five of six and six of eight games, their recent encounters with playoff-bound teams have proven difficult. Their most recent outing resulted in a substantial 134-102 defeat against the Houston Rockets, marking their most significant loss since October.
New Orleans interim coach James Borrego acknowledged the team's struggles but emphasized their historical resilience. He stressed the importance of responding to adversity and concluding the season with a competitive spirit. Borrego lauded his team's consistent competitive drive and nightly effort, setting a clear objective to perform strongly in their upcoming game against Portland. This matchup will be the fourth between the two teams this season, with Portland holding a 2-1 advantage, having last met on January 2nd in a 122-109 Blazers victory.
In that January contest, Blazers All-Star Deni Avdija delivered an exceptional performance with 34 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds. Avdija continued his stellar play against the Clippers, contributing 28 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. Veteran guard Jrue Holiday, a former Pelican, also played a crucial role in the Clippers game, sinking seven three-pointers en route to 30 points. Holiday is one of six healthy Blazers currently averaging double-digit scoring, with Avdija leading the team at 23.1 points per game. Portland will be without Jerami Grant for his second consecutive game due to a strained right calf. For the Pelicans, leading scorer Trey Murphy III, averaging 21.7 points, is questionable for Thursday's game due to a sprained right ankle, having missed the previous three contests. Dejounte Murray led New Orleans with 19 points in their loss to Houston.
As the Trail Blazers approach the end of the regular season, their improved performance and a fresh start with new ownership have ignited hopes for a successful play-in tournament run. The upcoming game against the struggling Pelicans presents a crucial chance to solidify their standing, demonstrating their capacity to compete with the league's contenders. With key players stepping up and a renewed team focus, Portland is determined to make a strong push for a postseason berth, aiming to build on their recent successes and defy expectations.
