Pelicans Look To Continue Road Dominance With Trip To Portland Against The Injury-Riddled Blazers

New Orleans has won five straight games against the Blazers, needing a six straight to keep pace in the crowded West.

The New Orleans Pelicans (46-32) continue their final regular season road trip with a visit to Portland to take on the Trail Blazers (21-57) Tuesday night. New Orleans came off a huge victory versus the Phoenix Suns on Sunday to keep their current playoff positioning in the crowded Western Conference. The Pelicans have been one of the best road teams in the league this year, winners of seven of their last eight games away from the Smoothie King Center.

Portland has one of the worst home records in the NBA and is just trying to get to the offseason. The Blazers will play without four of their top five scorers against the Pelicans, which doesn't bode well for a team that already struggles to score. Portland ranks near the bottom of the league in points scored, field goal percentage, and three-point shots made. With Portland's top scorers out, the Blazers have let rookie Scoot Henderson become more involved offensively. The lottery pick in last year's draft has four games this season with at least 20 points and 10 assists.

New Orleans has beaten Portland five straight times dating back to last season and four straight times in Portland. Former Blazer great, CJ McCollum, is on a personal historic streak in his career. McCollum has scored at least 30 points in three straight games for only the second time in his career. With star forward Brandon Ingram still out with a hyperextended knee, McCollum is averaging over 26 points per game during that stretch.

Ingram has started on-court individual drills and hopes to make a return before the regular season ends on Sunday. Zion Williamson returned against the Suns after missing the San Antonio game with a bruised left finger. Williamson had his best all-around game as a pro with 29 points, ten rebounds, seven assists, and a career-high five blocked shots. Zion has scored at least 25 points in every career game versus the Blazers, averaging over 28 points in the seven regular-season games against him.

The Pelicans look to get healthy at the right time before the regular season ends. Jose Alvarado returned after missing five games with a right oblique injury to hit five three-pointers in his return. Naji Marshall's status is upgraded to doubtful with a shoulder injury. Whether he plays Tuesday night or not, he's on the right track to play again soon. After the game versus the Blazers, the Pels finish their road trip with games against the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors.