KEY POINTS
- Jrue Holiday scored 27 points to lead the Trail Blazers to a 118-106 home victory.
- Portland moved within a half-game of the eighth seed under the eyes of new ownership.
- The New Orleans Pelicans suffered their 11th loss in 12 games despite a strong start.
The Portland Trail Blazers took a significant step toward postseason security with a 118-106 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night. Veteran guard Jrue Holiday spearheaded the offensive effort at the Moda Center. Holiday finished the contest with 27 points and nine assists while connecting on seven shots from beyond the arc.
This victory proved particularly timely for the franchise as its new ownership group watched from courtside. The NBA Board of Governors recently approved a 4.25 billion dollar sale of the team. The group led by Tom Dundon officially took control of the organization earlier this week. The win provided a positive start to this new era of Portland basketball.
Portland displayed impressive resilience after falling behind early in the first half. New Orleans utilized its interior size to build a nine-point lead during the second quarter. However, the Trail Blazers closed the gap before halftime with timely scoring from Scoot Henderson and Deni Avdija. The Pelicans held a slim 64-60 lead at the break.
The momentum shifted permanently in favor of the home team during the third quarter. Matisse Thybulle hit a crucial 3-pointer to give Portland its first lead of the second half. Toumani Camara then extended the advantage with several energetic plays on both ends of the floor. Camara finished the night with 23 points in a highly efficient performance.
Deni Avdija also played a vital role in the late-game execution for the Trail Blazers. He contributed 26 points and secured key rebounds to prevent New Orleans from mounting a comeback. Portland has now won eight of its last 10 games to solidify its position in the Western Conference. The team currently sits just a half-game behind the eighth-place Clippers.
The Pelicans struggled to find offensive consistency as the game progressed. Jeremiah Fears provided a spark off the bench with 21 points for the visiting side. Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III also reached double figures but could not overcome Portland’s perimeter shooting. New Orleans has now lost 11 of its last 12 matchups during a difficult spring stretch.
Clinching a higher seed remains a primary focus for the Trail Blazers in the final week. Moving into the eighth spot would mean the team only needs one win to reach the playoffs. Staying in ninth or tenth would require two consecutive victories in the play-in tournament. Every win carries immense weight as the regular season reaches its conclusion.
The Trail Blazers will look to continue their three-game winning streak when they visit Denver on Monday. Meanwhile, the Pelicans will attempt to snap their current slide against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. Both teams are managing heavy schedules as they navigate the closing days of the 2025-2026 NBA season.
