Pelicans pull away in second half for key win at Blazers

It could not have unfolded any better. First, the New Orleans Pelicans had to take care of business. Then, the Pelicans needed help elsewhere.

New Orleans took care of business, downing the Blazers 110-100 at Portland and continuing their outstanding play on the road.

After a close first half which saw Portland take a 55-52 lead to halftime, the Pelicans awakened in the third quarter, outscoring the Blazers 35-23 and that proved decisive. New Orleans built an insurmountable 20-point lead in the fourth quarter and coasted to the win.

Trey Murphy III came up huge, scoring 31 points, including sinking 5-of-12 shots from 3-point range and making all eight free throws.

CJ McCollum enjoyed his return to his former home, burning his former team for 29 points, including going 5-of-10 from 3-point range.

Zion Williamson added 22 points and seven rebounds.

New Orleans won despite shooting just 41 percent from the field.

The difference was at the free throw line, where the Pelicans outscored the Blazers 27-7.

The Pelicans did their job and got huge help on many fronts.

New Orleans moved back into the sixth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference after the Clippers defeated Phoenix 105-92 to knock Phoenix a game behind New Orleans.

Additionally, Oklahoma City defeated Sacramento 112-105 to push the Kings two games back of New Orleans.

Adding to the big night, Golden State beat the Lakers 134-120 to push the Lakers 2 ½ games back of the Pelicans.

Now 47-32 with three games remaining, the Pelicans face a huge game at Sacramento Thursday night before heading to San Francisco to face red-hot Golden State Friday night.

The regular season concludes at home Sunday against the Lakers.

If New Orleans can get two of the three games, the chances of finishing sixth and avoiding the play-in tournament are very good.

Anything less would make things difficult.

New Orleans is now 26-14, tied for the second- best road record in the NBA.

It was a huge night for the Pelicans.

Now, it is on to another huge test as the stakes grow higher.