But Monday night at the depleted New Orleans Pelicans was one of those nights, and the Blazers took advantage. Achieving the end result still took some doing, though. The Blazers overcame a rough first half and rode a hot fourth quarter from backup Dalano Banton to win 118-100 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.

The injury-ravaged Pelicans lost for the fourth time in five games Monday (Nov. 4), unable to keep pace with the Portland Trail Blazers in a 118-100 loss before 14,932 at the Smoothie King Center. Brandon Ingram led all scorers with 27 points,