PORTLAND – There are a series of factors that have helped turn around New Orleans’ season after a 6-22 start to 2019-20, but one of the most obvious has been the team’s improved health. After the Pelicans often had more key players sidelined by injury than their opponents through mid-December, that’s swung in the other direction recently. It’s the case again Friday, when ninth-place Portland (25-31) will try to prevent 11th-place New Orleans (23-32) from creating a deadlock in the loss column in the Western Conference standings, while competing without All-Star guard Damian Lillard. It’s the second time this season that the Trail Blazers will miss their best player against the Pelicans, who are gunning for a 4-0 series sweep tonight (9:30 p.
Pelicans shootaround update presented by HUB International: New Orleans seeks season-series sweep vs. Portland
