In fact, the Blazers almost scored more points in the first quarter (40) than the Pelicans scored in the entire first half (42). The Pels trailed 75-42 at the break, drawing boos from the home crowd as they headed to the locker room.

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%.

Zion Williamson symbolically announced his return from a 27-game injury absence with a breakaway dunk in which he rotated 360 degrees in the air while throwing down a crowd-pleasing, double-clutch, roundhouse jam.