What happens when a team that’s tanking goes up against an opponent with playoff aspirations led by a former player of the tanking team?
A beatdown usually ensues.
The New Orleans Pelicans left nothing to chance with their postseason hopes still in doubt and took out the Portland Trail Blazers early during a 124-90 victory Monday night at the Moda Center.
The Blazers, playing without six regulars including Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant, shot 38.9% from the field and a miserable 7 of 33 on threes (21.2%).
Rookie Shaedon Sharpe, who averaged 25.7 points over his previous three outings (all starts), went scoreless in the first half against the Pelicans with four personal fouls. He got going a bit in the fourth quarter and finished the night with 12 points and eight rebounds. He shot 5 of 13 from the field.
Portland opened the game by shooting 28.6% in the first quarter including 1 of 10 on threes while the Pelicans got 13 points from Brandon Ingram and shot 63.6% from the field to take a 34-14 lead.
The Blazers managed to score 21 points in the second quarter but they trailed 58-35 at halftime and by then were 1 of 17 on three-pointers.
Sharpe’s first basket made the score 60-39 Pelicans early in the third quarter. By the end of the quarter he still had just two points and the Blazers were down 89-55.
CJ McCollum, who playfully mocked the Blazers predicament on Saturday, had 17 points and eight assists. Brandon Ingram finished with 29 points.
The Blazers were playing the second of a back-to-back but had looked solid — all things considered — during Sunday’s 118-112 loss to Oklahoma City.
“I didn’t have an issue with our effort tonight,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. “You saw back-to-back legs. You saw a lot of players not really accustomed to it when they have to play extended minutes, at least. I don’t how any team can compete when you go 1 of 17 on threes in the first half. That makes it very tough … That’s just a team that’s on a mission. They played well and they kicked our butt.”
The Pelicans clearly were paying attention to how well Sharpe had been playing and went after him on defense. Billups said it was a good experience for the rookie to struggle.
“I’m sure that’s the first time he’s probably felt that way in his life, struggling on both sides of the ball like that,” Billups said. “But it’s a part of it.”
Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) brings the ball upcourt against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Monday, March 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer) APAP
WHAT IT MEANS
The Blazers (32-43) moved into a tie with Orlando (32-43) for the fifth-worst record in the NBA. This is only significant because the team that finishes with the fifth-worst record will have a 10.5% chance at landing the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA draft. The team with the sixth-worst record will have a 9% shot. Every little bit counts. As for the Pelicans (38-37), their victory kept them in sole possession of eighth place in the Western Conference.
NEXT UP
The Blazers host the Sacramento Kings at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook). Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts