The Trail Blazers’ uninspiring start to the NBA Playoffs is directly tied to the Pelicans’ suffocating defensive effort. Damian Lillard was the driving force behind Portland’s offense in the regular season, but he has been held to consecutive sub-20-point games in the postseason. Due to Portland’s struggles, the Pelicans will return home to New Orleans ahead 2-0 in the series.
Danny Chau of The Ringer took a closer look at how the Pelicans are making things tough for the Blazers through the first two games of the series.