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Deni Avdija scores 26 as the Trail Blazers down the Pelicans 119-100

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Deni Avdija scores 26 as the Trail Blazers down the Pelicans 119-100
News

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Deni Avdija scores 26 as the Trail Blazers down the Pelicans 119-100

2025-01-09 11:27 Last Updated At:11:32

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Deni Avdija scored 26 points, Shaedon Sharpe added 21 points and the Portland Trail Blazers led wire to wire in a 119-100 victory over the struggling New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.

New Orleans played without power forward Zion Williamson, who was held out as a precaution after coming back from a left hamstring strain a night earlier. Brandon Ingram (left ankle) missed his 14th straight game.

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Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, below, and New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins battle for a loose ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, below, and New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins battle for a loose ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins (24) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins (24) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi and forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi and forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) goes to the basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) goes to the basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) shoots in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) shoots in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) drives to the basket between New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2) and guard CJ McCollum (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) drives to the basket between New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2) and guard CJ McCollum (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) passes around New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) passes around New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans guard Javonte Green in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans guard Javonte Green in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) goes to the basket between New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) and center Yves Missi in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) goes to the basket between New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) and center Yves Missi in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) is fouled by New Orleans Pelicans forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) as he drives to the basket in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) is fouled by New Orleans Pelicans forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) as he drives to the basket in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Anfernee Simons scored 17 points and Toumani Camara 15 for Portland, which led 75-42 at halftime and cruised from there. Deandre Ayton scored 11 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for the Blazers, who shot 54.5% (48 of 88).

CJ McCollum scored 23 points and Dejounte Murray 20 for New Orleans, which has lost 22 of its last 25 games.

Pelicans forward and top defender Herb Jones left the game in the third quarter because of a right shoulder injury. He missed 18 games earlier this season with a similar injury.

Trail Blazers: There have been signs of improvement lately. The Blazers (13-23) have won four of seven, with two of the losses in that span by single-digit margins. Portland has scored 103 or more points in 11 of 12 games.

Pelicans: One night after looking competitive against Minnesota — albeit with Williamson in the lineup — New Orleans looked lethargic, disjointed and at times disinterested enough to elicit boos from the sparse home crowd.

For all practical purposes, there was no pivotal juncture in this wire-to-wire drubbing. The Blazers built a 16-point lead in the first quarter and were never threatened.

Portland shot 67.4% (31 of 46) through the first 24 minutes, when their 75 points set a season high for a first half.

The Trail Blazers visit Dallas on Thursday night. The Pelicans visit Philadelphia on Friday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, below, and New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins battle for a loose ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, below, and New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins battle for a loose ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins (24) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins (24) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi and forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi and forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) goes to the basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) goes to the basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) shoots in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) shoots in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) drives to the basket between New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2) and guard CJ McCollum (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) drives to the basket between New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2) and guard CJ McCollum (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) passes around New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) passes around New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans guard Javonte Green in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans guard Javonte Green in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) goes to the basket between New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) and center Yves Missi in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) goes to the basket between New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) and center Yves Missi in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) is fouled by New Orleans Pelicans forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) as he drives to the basket in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) is fouled by New Orleans Pelicans forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) as he drives to the basket in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Next Article

Mexico City's Pumas salvage a 1-1 Champions Cup draw against Vancouver Whitecaps

2025-04-03 12:04 Last Updated At:12:12

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Adalberto Carrasquilla scored a late equalizer Wednesday to help Mexico City’s Pumas salvage a 1-1 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal series.

Brian White put the home team ahead in the 72nd minute, taking advantage of a mistake from goalkeeper Alex Padilla to score his fourth goal in five matches in the tournament.

Carrasquilla’s close-range shot in the 87th tied the game.

The winner of this quarterfinal will play either Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami or Los Angeles FC in the semifinals. On the other bracket, Club America is playing Cruz Azul and Los Angeles Galaxy is facing Mexican side Tigres. Both of those quarterfinals opened with scoreless draws.

The Whitecaps will face Pumas next Wednesday at Mexico City's Olympic stadium.

Vancouver is aiming to reach the semifinals for the second time, while Pumas are trying to make it back to the final four for the first time since 2022.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Pumas UNAM's Pablo Bennevendo (left) grabs Vancouver Whitecaps' Tate Johnson while trying to keep the ball in bounds during the first half of a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal soccer match, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (Christopher Morris/The Canadian Press via AP)

Pumas UNAM's Pablo Bennevendo (left) grabs Vancouver Whitecaps' Tate Johnson while trying to keep the ball in bounds during the first half of a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal soccer match, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (Christopher Morris/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Whitecaps' Ali Ahmed (left) battles with Pumas UNAM's Pablo Bennevendo during the first half of a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal soccer match, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (Christopher Morris/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Whitecaps' Ali Ahmed (left) battles with Pumas UNAM's Pablo Bennevendo during the first half of a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal soccer match, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (Christopher Morris/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Whitecaps' J.C. Ngando (left) battles with Pumas UNAM's Piero Quispe during the first half of a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal soccer match, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (Christopher Morris/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Whitecaps' J.C. Ngando (left) battles with Pumas UNAM's Piero Quispe during the first half of a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal soccer match, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (Christopher Morris/The Canadian Press via AP)

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