2018 ScheduleAll times ET

2018 Schedule
48-34, 2nd in Southwest
Holiday trolls Nurkic after getting posterized by Davis (0:23)

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Fear the beardless! The Pelicans are now 8-0 since Nikola Mirotic decided to shave his beard – including his 30-point performance in Thursday's Game 3 win over the Trail Blazers. Coach Alvin Gentry joked that maybe he'll get a Gillette sponsorship out of it. But teammate Jrue Holiday turned deadly serious when he insisted there is no way they'll let Mirotic avoid shaving from now on. Said Mirotic: “I have to (keep shaving) now. Now it's too late to let it grow. So it's just been fun. But I feel good now being shaved.”

Holiday calls playoff environment 'insane' (2:10)

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Davis and Mirotic waiting for someone to fix the microphones at the postgame podium — the only thing that hasn't gone right for the Pelicans all night.

Mirotic: 'We played this game like it was 0-0' (1:47)
Pelicans make it look easy in Game 3 (0:57)
0:47

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Coach Terry Stotts said there were a lot of problems for the Trail Blazers in Thursday night's loss to the Pelicans — including some "mind-boggling" turnovers that he hadn't seen before.

Davis, Mirotic spur Pelicans to 3-0 series lead (1:20)

Mark Schwarz ESPN Reporter 

When asked why Nikola Mirotic (30 points) has been such a revelation this postseason, Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said "Gillette. Give them the credit. Maybe it will get him a sponsorship." Gentry is referring to the fact that Mirotic has played his best basketball since shaving his thick beard earlier this month. As a matter of fact it's become quite a thing now as teammates will not allow Mirotic to have that 5 O'clock shadow. In Portland, Mirotic sent Pelicans' rookie Charles Cook to buy an electric razor so that Mirotic could get rid of the stubble.

0:39

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry credits the leadership of Rajon Rondo and Anthony Davis for this team not letting up as they've taken a 3-0 lead over Trail Blazers. Said they keep stressing that they "haven't accomplished anything."

13h

Mirotic, Davis lead Pelicans to 3-0 series lead over Blazers

Nikola Mirotic scored a career playoff-best 30 points to go with eight rebounds, three steals and a block, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Portland Trail Blazers 119-102 on Thursday night to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their first-round...

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

And this one is officially over in New Orleans (though it has felt that way for the last quarter and a half). Pelicans 119, Trail Blazers 102. And now the Pelicans have a chance to sweep the series at home on Saturday. According to ESPN Stats and Information, the sixth-seeded Pelicans are the highest seed to take a 3-0 lead in a NBA playoff series since the 2001 Hornets.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

Anthony Davis leaves the floor to thunderous roars from the crowd and some "M-V-P" chants with just under seven minutes remaining in the Pelicans' rout of the Trail Blazers. Davis finished the game with 28 points and 11 rebounds -- and the Pelicans are about to go up 3-0 in the series.

Mark Schwarz ESPN Reporter 

Anthony Davis scared an entire metropolis there as he took a hard fall and clutched his right rib. Davis got to his feet and converted a pair of free throws. He is fine.

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

A chant of "Boo-gie! Boo-gie" broke out in the Smoothie King Center when they showed the Pelicans' DeMarcus Cousins on the big screen. Cousins returned to New Orleans on Thursday for the first time since he tore his Achilles in January and has been sitting courtside for Game 3 against the Trail Blazers (he has been rehabbing in Los Angeles and was restricted from traveling until this week). The home crowd is also enjoying another dynamic performance from the Pelicans, who took a 90-65 lead late into the third quarter as they try to go up 3-0 in the series.

Rondo hits tough layup over two Blazers (0:20)

Mark Schwarz ESPN Reporter 

Just when they were buried in a 25 point hole, Portland blazes its way to 10 points in 64 seconds. Gentry forced to use another time out. 75-60 Pels with 5:15 to play in the 3rd.

Mark Schwarz ESPN Reporter 

Blazers come out of the locker room with the kind of desperation that will be needed to save their season. Jusuf Nurkic was active and energized. Maurice Harkless canned a wide open 3 on a dish from Nurkic after he snagged an offensive rebound. Alvin Gentry uses an early time out to settle the troops. Looks like that worked. Pelicans got two quick hoops to restore an 18 point advantage.

Davis takes flight for reverse alley-oop dunk (0:18)

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer 

The cross-country trip back to New Orleans did nothing to cool off the red-hot Pelicans, who are threatening to take a 3-0 lead over the Trail Blazers with a 64-45 halftime lead. Forward Nikola Mirotic is on pace for a career-high scoring night with 21 points, and Anthony Davis has eight rebounds to go with 12 points. The Blazers' 37.2 shooting percentage and12 turnovers haven't helped their cause.

Rondo's deep 3 forces Blazers' timeout (0:33)

Mark Schwarz ESPN Reporter 

The Pelicans have 7 steals already and are creating transition baskets and thus a double digit lead in game 3. C.J. McCollum has as many turnovers (2) as he does points. Portland has committed 9 miscues.

Davis leaves game with left thumb injury (0:18)
BALL OR NOTHIN' - Episode 1 (9:17)

Team Stats

Points Per Game111.73rd
Rebounds Per Game44.310th
Assists Per Game26.83rd
Points Allowed110.429th

Team History

YEARWLPCT
2017-184834.585
2016-173448.415
2015-163052.366
2014-154537.549
2013-143448.415