Portland @ New Orleans preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 12, 2018 ) Portland 113, New Orleans 119

The Portland Trail Blazers look to record their 15th victory in the past 17 games when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. Portland's hot run allowed it to move into third place in the Western Conference, two games ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

New Orleans is tied for fifth place in the Western Conference with the San Antonio Spurs, just a half-game behind fourth-place Oklahoma City in the jam-packed playoff race. The Pelicans are fresh off two complete days of rest after a postponement makeup caused them to play six games in eight nights, including games on three consecutive nights. "We're pros, but it was tough and that part of the season is behind us and I think we have three games in 10 days now," New Orleans point guard Rajon Rondo said after Saturday's 114-91 loss to the Houston Rockets. "So hopefully the guys will get a chance to rest their bodies and get back to normal." Portland opened a three-game road trip on Sunday with a 108-105 win over the Thunder behind 34 points from shooting guard CJ McCollum.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Northwest (Portland), FS New Orleans

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (45-28): All-Star point Damian Lillard has scored 20 or more points in a career-best 18 consecutive games, the fourth-longest such streak in franchise history. Lillard went 11-of-11 from the free-throw line while scoring 24 points on Sunday to set a franchise mark with 60 consecutive made free throws, surpassing the record set by Damon Stoudamire (57 in 2005). Meanwhile, McCollum has been superb by averaging 30 points on 26-of-46 shooting over the past two contests.

ABOUT THE PELICANS (43-31): New Orleans won four consecutive games before having nothing left in the tank against Houston, but the players are well aware of the need to bounce back due to the situation. "We control our own destiny and we're fine," All-Star power forward Anthony Davis told reporters. "It's just one game, we have a couple of days off and then play Tuesday against somebody we're in a race with (in) Portland." Davis topped 20 points in nine consecutive games and the stretch of strong performances include his lone career triple-double when he had 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocked shots against the Utah Jazz on March 11.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Pelicans are 2-1 against the Trail Blazers this season and have won four of the past five meetings.

2. Portland C Jusuf Nurkic recorded three double-doubles over the past four games and 21 on the season.

3. Rondo (wrist) and F Nikola Mirotic (hip) are both expected back after sitting out against Houston.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 111, Trail Blazers 107