NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- LaMarcus Aldridge scored 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Portland to a 114-88 win over the Pelicans Saturday night.
While Portland was coming off a triple overtime win at San Antonio a night earlier, it was New Orleans that appeared tired. The Pelicans made just 35 percent of their shots, including just 3-of-14 shooting by Anthony Davis, who finished with seven points, six rebounds and five blocked shots.
New Orleans recorded one of its best wins of the season on Thursday night -- a nine-point win at Houston. Portland, meanwhile, was coming off of its longest game of the season.
Portland (22-6) showed no signs of slowing down from playing the 15 extra minutes less than 24 hours before facing New Orleans (13-13). The Trail Blazers shot 53 percent, including nine 3-pointers and forced 17 turnovers.
Aldridge played a large role in Portland's runaway start. His steal of Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans less than a minute in led to his 15-foot jumper and made free throw on the other end. A fade-away 19-footer by Aldridge on the next possession was followed by a Wesley Matthews 3-pointer.
Aldridge finished off the next two offensive series with long jumpers and, less than four minutes into the game he had nine points and had staked the Trail Blazers to a near double-digit lead.
By the fourth quarter Aldridge was out of the game and New Orleans had given in, benching four of its starters, including Davis, for the final 12 minutes.
Blazers point guard Damian Lillard added 17 points and seven assists while one-time New Orleans center Chris Kaman had 16 points and six rebounds in a reserve role.
Austin Rivers led New Orleans with 21 points while Ryan Anderson scored 16 points.
