The Portland Trail Blazers played the first quarter of their dreams tonight versus Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans. They made the newly-formed Pelicans rotation look like they were trying to gel in the blazing sun of an offensive Sahara. After the first, though, it was all downhill. Williamson and company ran, jammed, and generally bulled their way to a convincing 138-117 victory that Portland looked powerless to stop.
The veteran Blazers frontcourt went all-in to start this game. Hassan Whiteside scored twice in the paint, Carmelo Anthony hit inside and out, while Trevor Ariza hit a three, all within the first few minutes of action.