Brandon Ingram drained a 17-foot jumper with 5.2 seconds left and Herbert Jones blocked Anfernee Simons’ driving attempt just before the buzzer as the New Orleans Pelicans notched a 105-103 comeback victory over the host Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.
Reserve Jordan Hawkins scored 15 of his team-best 24 points in the fourth quarter for the Pelicans, who recovered from a 16-point, second-quarter deficit to win their second straight game.
Ingram had 21 points and eight rebounds, CJ McCollum scored 20 points and Zion Williamson had 16 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and four blocked shots for New Orleans. Williamson missed the Pelicans’ season opener Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls due to illness.
Jerami Grant scored 34 points but just had two in the fourth quarter when Portland was outscored 30-19. Simons registered 24 points and seven assists, Scoot Henderson scored 15 points off the bench and Deandre Ayton had 10 points and 15 rebounds.
New Orleans played without Dejounte Murray, who fractured his left hand during the opener. The Pelicans also remain without Trey Murphy III (hamstring).
The Trail Blazers were missing Shaedon Sharpe (shoulder), Robert Williams III (hamstring) and Matisse Thybulle (knee).
The teams play again in Portland on Sunday afternoon.
New Orleans shot 41.9 percent from the floor, including 12 of 32 from 3-point range while defeating the Trail Blazers for the seventh straight time.
Portland connected on 41.1 percent of its shots and was 13-of-37 from behind the arc.
Simons had a personal 7-0 run to give Portland a 65-51 lead with 7:23 remaining in the third quarter.
New Orleans answered with a 14-3 burst and moved within three on a 3-pointer by Hawkins.
A short time later, the Trail Blazers went on a 14-4 burst to hold an 84-71 advantage with 44.3 seconds in the quarter.
The Pelicans trailed 84-75 entering the final stanza.
New Orleans later ran off 13 consecutive points to take a 97-91 lead with 5:52 left in the game. Hawkins made two free throws with 7:58 left to put New Orleans ahead and McCollum and Daniel Theis added baskets to complete the run.
Ayton’s inside hoop with 5:15 remaining ended Portland’s scoring drought. Two free throws by Simons and Toumani Camara’s tip-in allowed the Trail Blazers to tie it at 97 with 3:51 left.
Grant scored 18 first-half points to help Portland hold a 47-37 lead at the break.
–Field Level Media