Deni Avdija scored 26 points, and Shaedon Sharpe added 21 as the Portland Trail Blazers led from start to finish in a commanding 119-100 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night. The Pelicans, missing Zion Williamson (precautionary rest) and Brandon Ingram (left ankle), struggled to keep pace. CJ McCollum led New Orleans with 23 points, while Dejounte Murray added 20.

Portland, up 75-42 at halftime, cruised behind Anfernee Simons’ 17 points, Toumani Camara’s 15, and Deandre Ayton’s 11 points and 13 rebounds. Shooting 54.5% from the field, the Blazers showed offensive efficiency. Herb Jones, a key Pelicans defender, exited in the third quarter with a recurring shoulder injury. Despite their struggles (22 losses in 25 games), New Orleans searches for answers as Portland shows signs of improvement, winning four of their last seven games.