Bryce McGowens scored 23 points (15 on 5 3-pointers), and the New Orleans Pelicans closed the third quarter on a 15-6 run to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 143-120 to end a 7-game losing streak.
The Pelicans led by as many as 25, pulling away with a 27-7 run in the fourth quarter.
Trey Murphy III had 24 points (16 in the paint) and 3 steals on 10 for 14 shooting, and Jordan Poole added 22 points off the bench. The Pelicans had 3 20-point scorers.
For the Trail Blazers, Shaedon Sharpe scored 21 points, and Jerami Grant went 1 for 7 from 3. Sidy Cissoko scored a career-high 20 points on 8 for 12 shooting off the bench.
The Pelicans shot 51.8% from the field and 37.5% from 3 to the Trail Blazers’ 44.1% and 29.2%. The Trail Blazers forced 10 turnovers, about 7 fewer than usual for this many possessions. The Pelicans outscored the Trail Blazers 88-62 in the paint. The Trail Blazers’ starters were outscored 28-17 in 9 minutes together.