The New Orleans Pelicans had an absurdly difficult first week of the regular season. I tried to warn you in August when the schedule was released that the first couple months of the year were exceptionally daunting. That was before the Pelicans suffered a rash of injuries to Tyreke Evans, Omer Asik, Alexis Ajinca, Luke Babbitt, and Norris Cole. Before details of the minutes restriction for Jrue Holiday were released.
Realistically the Pelicans were going to start the season 1-2. A loss against the Portland Trail Blazers was not out of the realm of possibility.