McCollum scores 37 as Trail Blazers beat Pelicans in opener
CJ McCollum scored 37 points (22 in the first quarter), and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the New Orleans Pelicans 112-94 in their season opener at Moda Center.
The Trail Blazers took control with a 32-11 run in the first quarter and led by as many as 30.
Damian Lillard had 21 points (12 in the paint) and 11 assists. Lillard assisted on 5 of Meyers Leonard’s 5 baskets, 2 of them in the fourth quarter.
For the Pelicans, Anthony Davis had 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Ryan Anderson added 21 points and 9 rebounds off the bench. Eric Gordon scored 20 points. The Pelicans had 3 20-point scorers.
The Trail Blazers shot 50.0% from the field and 37.5% from 3 to the Pelicans’ 39.6% and 33.3%. The Trail Blazers outscored the Pelicans 33-21 in 14 minutes with Aminu, Davis, Lillard, Leonard and McCollum on the floor together.