Anfernee Simons, Deandre Ayton help the Trail Blazers beat the Pelicans, 118-100

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Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9) shoots around New Orleans Pelicans center Daniel Theis (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

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Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) dunks against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) shoots against Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) and Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2) and a falling Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

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New Orleans Pelicans guard Javonte Green (4) and Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) battles for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

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Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2) dunks against New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

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Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

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New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers in New Orleans, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Jamal Cain (8) shoots against Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

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New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (15) celebrates a three point basket next Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

By BRETT MARTEL

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Anfernee Simons scored 24 points, Deandre Ayton had 19 points and 13 rebounds and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the injury-depleted New Orleans Pelicans 118-100 on Monday night.

Toumani Camara and Jerami Grant each scored 16 points for the Trail Blazers, who trailed for most of the first three quarters. Portland surged ahead in the fourth, when Dalano Banton entered the game and scored 20 points in a single period.

Brandon Ingram was the Pelicans’ only usual starter in uniform for a second straight game and scored 27 points.

Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson was scratched from the lineup with right hamstring and quad tightness for a second straight game. New Orleans was also without starters Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, and Herb Jones, along with prominent reserves Trey Murphy III and Jordan Hawkins.

Brandon Boston Jr. scored 20, getting a spot start because Hawkins, who’d been starting recently for McCollum, was unable to play a second straight night through lower back tightness.

Jose Alvarado added 18 points for New Orleans.

Takeaways

Trail Blazers: Portland’s advantage around the basket showed as the Blazers shot 54.8% (46 of 84) and outrebounded New Orleans 38-34.

Pelicans: For a second straight game, New Orleans was badly outscored in the paint. Portland finished with a 66-38 advantage inside, one night after Atlanta outscored the Pelicans 66-32 in the paint.

Key moment

Banton, fresh from resting the first three quarters, scored eight points in five minutes to fuel a 10-2 run which put Portland in front 94-89. The Blazers pulled away from there.

Key stat

Banton shot 8 of 9 in his 12 minutes on the court, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range.

Up next

The Trail Blazers visit San Antonio on Thursday night. The Pelicans host unbeaten Cleveland on Wednesday night to close out a four-game homestand.

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