Portland @ New Orleans preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 2, 2017 ) New Orleans 123, Portland 116

The New Orleans Pelicans and the Portland Trail Blazers both have plans to make the playoffs in the Western Conference this spring, but neither team seems to be generating any consistent forward momentum. Both teams will be trying to bounce back from tough losses when the Pelicans host the Trail Blazers on Friday.

Portland was streaking in the right direction and looking impressive in the process with a three-game winning streak that included triumphs over San Antonio and Oklahoma City before dropping a 121-112 decision at Houston on Wednesday. The Trail Blazers are averaging 114 points over their last six games, going 4-2 in that span, but allowed at least 30 points in each of the final three quarters on Wednesday and could not keep up down the stretch at Houston. New Orleans is missing star forward Anthony Davis (ankle) but still had a good chance to win at Memphis on Wednesday before scoring just nine points in the third quarter of the 105-102 setback. "Obviously, we started to struggle offensively," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters. "I thought the offensive rebounds hurt us as much as anything. I still thought our defense was very solid, but we didn’t guard like we did in the first quarter there. Eventually, they chipped away at the lead."

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

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (22-19): Portland got star point guard Damian Lillard (calf) back from a two-game absence on Wednesday and watched him shake off the rust with 29 points on 9-of-16 shooting and eight assists in 32 minutes. Lillard showed off his passion at the end of the loss, getting into a brief altercation with fellow star point guard Chris Paul after Paul went in for a needless layup in the final seconds. Lillard's return prompted a boost in production from swingman Evan Turner, who scored 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting at Houston after totaling 15 points in the previous two games with Lillard sitting out.

ABOUT THE PELICANS (20-20): Not having Davis around on Wednesday led to New Orleans being outrebounded overall and giving up 14 offensive rebounds, which Gentry pointed to as a difference in the outcome. "We have to be a little more physical," Gentry told reporters. "I thought that the physicality of the game was really in their favor. Then we just have to complete defensive possessions by coming up with the rebound and not giving up the offensive rebound.” DeMarcus Cousins scored 29 points in the loss but secured only eight rebounds to end a string of six straight double-doubles.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pelicans G Jrue Holiday is 1-of-14 from 3-point range over the last three games.

2. Trail Blazers PF Ed Davis recorded a double-double on Wednesday - his first since collecting 10 points and 12 rebounds against the Pelicans on Oct. 24.

3. New Orleans took three of the last four in the series, including a 123-116 win at Portland on Dec. 2.

PREDICTION: Pelicans 112, Trail Blazers 107