Mirotic, Davis carry Pelicans to 3-0 series lead over Blazers

New Orleans Pelicans forward Nikola Mirotic (3) celebrates with forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first half of Game 3 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers in New Orleans, Thursday, April 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Veronica Dominach)

NEW ORLEANS — Nikola Mirotic scored a career playoff-best 30 points to go with eight rebounds, three steals and a block, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Portland Trail Blazers 119-102 on Thursday night to take a 3-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Anthony Davis had 28 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and two blocks for New Orleans, which can advance past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2008 with one more victory.

The 6-foot-10 Mirotic, acquired in a midseason trade after DeMarcus Cousins’ season-ending Achilles tear, made 12 of 15 shots, scoring on everything from quick-release 3-pointers to cutting dunks and fast-break layups.

Damian Lillard scored 20 for Portland, but also missed nine of 14 shots. CJ McCollum scored 22 and Al-Farouq Aminu added 21, but Portland trailed by double digits for most of the first half and all of the second.

Game 4 is Saturday.

The Blazers had no answer for a Pelicans offense orchestrated once again to prolific effect by guard Rajon Rondo, who had 16 points and 11 assists — giving him 37 assists in the series. Jrue Holiday added 16 points for New Orleans, which shot 53 percent (46 of 87).

The Pelicans wore their alternate red uniforms and every fan was given a matching red T-shirt, turning the entire packed seating area into a sea of red.

The volume was high early with the crowd revved up for the first playoff game in New Orleans since 2015 — and eager to see if the Pelicans could push Portland to the brink of elimination.

The Trail Blazers did nothing to silence the place, shooting about 35 percent and committing six turnovers in the opening quarter.

New Orleans raced to an 18-point lead in the period, aided by Mirotic hitting five of his first seven shots for 14 early points.

Mirotic had 21 by halftime, giving him a playoff career high with 24 minutes still to play. He hit three of his first four 3-point attempts and triumphantly raised his fist to the exuberant crowd after one of his long-range rainbows went through.

Davis joined the fray with his typical array of alley-oop dunks, one of which he caught with his back to the basket and threw down with a two-handed reverse jam.

Rondo ran New Orleans’ offense with a tempo that gave Portland fits, and even when he was forced to settle for a deep 3 late in the shot clock, it went down, pushing the Pelicans’ lead to 20 in the first half.

Portland never got closer than 13 after that and trailed by as many as 33 in the fourth quarter.

TIP-INS

Trail Blazers: Starting F Evan Turner was scratched because of his toe injury sustained during Game 2 on Tuesday night. Maurice Harkless started in his place, scoring five points in 26 minutes. … The Blazers committed 24 turnovers, leading to 29 Pelicans points. … Finished 9 of 31 from 3-point range.

Pelicans: Cousins was on the bench, attending his first game in New Orleans since his injury on Jan. 26. When he was shown cheering on his teammates on the main scoreboard, fans erupted into chants of “Boogie! Boogie!” … The Pelicans shot 11 of 27 from 3-point range and 16 of 19 on free throws. … Scored 62 points in the paint and 32 on fast breaks. … Coach Alvin Gentry started bringing in reserves with a little less than seven minutes to go. Guards Jordan Crawford and DeAndre Liggins, and center Emeka Okafor were among those making their series debuts.

UP NEXT

The series remains in New Orleans for Game 4 on Saturday night, when the Pelicans have an opportunity to complete the first playoff series sweep in franchise history.