Deni Avdija scores 26 as the Trail Blazers down the Pelicans 119-100

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Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) is fouled by New Orleans Pelicans forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) as he drives to the basket in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) goes to the basket between New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) and center Yves Missi in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans guard Javonte Green in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) passes around New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) drives to the basket between New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2) and guard CJ McCollum (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) shoots in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) goes to the basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi and forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins (24) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, below, and New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins battle for a loose ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

By BRETT MARTEL

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Deni Avdija scored 26 points, Shaedon Sharpe added 21 points and the Portland Trail Blazers led wire to wire in a 119-100 victory over the struggling New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.

New Orleans played without power forward Zion Williamson, who was held out as a precaution after coming back from a left hamstring strain a night earlier. Brandon Ingram (left ankle) missed his 14th straight game.

Anfernee Simons scored 17 points and Toumani Camara 15 for Portland, which led 75-42 at halftime and cruised from there. Deandre Ayton scored 11 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for the Blazers, who shot 54.5% (48 of 88).

CJ McCollum scored 23 points and Dejounte Murray 20 for New Orleans, which has lost 22 of its last 25 games.

Pelicans forward and top defender Herb Jones left the game in the third quarter because of a right shoulder injury. He missed 18 games earlier this season with a similar injury.

Takeaways

Trail Blazers: There have been signs of improvement lately. The Blazers (13-23) have won four of seven, with two of the losses in that span by single-digit margins. Portland has scored 103 or more points in 11 of 12 games.

Pelicans: One night after looking competitive against Minnesota — albeit with Williamson in the lineup — New Orleans looked lethargic, disjointed and at times disinterested enough to elicit boos from the sparse home crowd.

Key moment

For all practical purposes, there was no pivotal juncture in this wire-to-wire drubbing. The Blazers built a 16-point lead in the first quarter and were never threatened.

Key stat

Portland shot 67.4% (31 of 46) through the first 24 minutes, when their 75 points set a season high for a first half.

Up next

The Trail Blazers visit Dallas on Thursday night. The Pelicans visit Philadelphia on Friday night.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba