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NBA --- Pelicans take control, lead Blazers 3-0
By Absalon Inocian, Jr. PhilBoxing.com Sat, 21 Apr 2018

New Orleans ? Nikola Mirotic, a harp-shooting 6-foot-10 big, led the New Orleans Pelicans to a 119-102 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 3 of their Western Conference quarterfinals on Thursday night at the Smoothie King Center.
Before a sold-out crowd packed with with fans in painted faces and wearing "Do It BigGer" shorts, the sixth seeded Pelicans raced to a commanding 3-0 lead in this best-of-seven series against the third-ranked Blazers.
Mirotic finished 30 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals while Anthony Davis was in fine form once again, tallying 28 points and 11 rebounds. Rajon Rondo had 16 points and 11 assists while Jrue Holiday added 16 points and seven boards..
?I just think that he?s just been locked in, he?s done a good job and our guys really have a lot of confidence in him. I think he really is well aware of where he fits in on this team and what he?s capable of doing.? Pelicans head coach, Alvin Gentry talking about Niko?s huge transformation on the team since the trade after DeMarcus Cousins? season-ending Achilles tear.
?It feels great of course, we got to win, we have 3-0 but we know it?s not over. Especially with this team who battles. So, we got to come out Saturday and make sure that we try to close it out.? On-court post interview with AD on his first playoff win at home.
?I like the energy that we started the game with. I like the pace we started the game with.? Head coach Gentry satisfied on tonight?s game.
Trail Blazers are down but not out in the First-Round playoff series. CJ McCollum led in points as he contributed 22, Al-Farouq Aminu finished with 21 points, and Damian Lillard added 20.
Anthony Davis continued with his playoffs rampage, this time with 28 points and 11 rebounds as the New Orleans Pelicans downed the Portland Trail Blazers, 109-102, in Game 3 of their best-of-7 duel. New Orleans is now up 3-0.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Absalon Inocian, Jr..
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