Late game execution issues plagued the Trail Blazers in their loss to the New Orleans Pelicans

The Trail Blazers got off to a fast start but failed to produce their performance late in the fourth quarter and fell to a 105-103 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night at the Moda Center.

With the score tied at 103:103, Blazer guard Anfernee Simons' pass to DeAndre Ayton flew out of bounds with 52.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Blazers had another chance, but Simons' shot attempt was blocked by CJ McCollum and a jump ball was called with 30.1 seconds left.

The Pelicans regained possession and Brandon Ingram made a 17-foot jumper to give them a 105-103 lead with 4.9 seconds left.

On the Blazers' final possession, Simons drove toward the basket for a layup attempt. But his shot was blocked by Zion Williamson, ending the game and handing the Blazers (0-2) their second straight loss to start the season.

“I thought it was a good game,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. “Ant is such a good shooter. If he goes downhill quickly, so. Most guys will back off. So it was his option, so to speak. He can do the pull-up or try to get to the basket and force the action. He decided to do it. And I will make his choice at any time.”

Billups will also examine how the Blazers played against the Pelicans and what they looked like during Wednesday night's 140-104 home loss to the Golden State Warriors.

“I thought we played hard. I’m proud of our guys,” Billups said. “We didn’t win, but we put in a lot of effort.”

Forward Jerami Grant, who scored the first 10 points of the game for the Blazers, finished with 34 points after making 11 of 23 shots, including 8 of 17 from the 3-point line.

Simons added 24 points and seven assists. Scoot Henderson scored 15 points and provided six assists off the bench.

The Blazers began the game with the same starting lineup — forwards Toumani Camara, Grant and Deni Avdija, Ayton and Simons — that started the game against the Warriors. This group, which struggled shooting in the season opener, got off to a much better start against the Pelicans.

WHAT IT MEANS

The Blazers (0-2) looked much better than they did against the Warriors and will get another shot at the Pelicans on Sunday at 3 p.m.

Portland clearly could have won this game, but at least the Blazers put in the effort necessary to win, even if they came up short.

For a team looking to return to the draft lottery, these are the nights they want to produce. Play hard. Be late to the game. Try to steal a win.

STRONG START

Grant hit back-to-back 3-pointers on the Blazers' first two offensive drives on the field. He then made four free throws in a row, scoring the Blazers' first 10 points in just over three minutes. Grant and Simons combined to hit five of six shots to help the Blazers take a 23-12 lead with 3:45 left in the first quarter. The Blazers limited the Pelicans to just 5 of 22 shots (22.7%), and the Blazers made 10 of 23 shots (43.4%) in the first quarter to take a 27-15 lead.

The Blazers cooled off a bit in the second quarter, making just seven of 22 shots (31.8%) and scoring 13 points. The Pelicans outscored the Blazers 22-13 and extended their lead to 47-37 at halftime.

Grant started the third quarter like he did the first quarter. Ingram made a 26-foot 3-pointer to cut the Blazers' lead to 52-49 early in the third quarter. Grant hit back-to-back three-pointers to extend the lead back to 58-49 with 8:21 left. The Blazers then beat the Pelicans 7-2 and extended their lead. By the fourth quarter they had an 84-75 lead.

GAME PLAY

Henderson lay down court to steal the basketball from Jose Alvarado and then, sitting down, made an over-the-head pass to Kris Murray for the dunk.

DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENT

The Blazers, who allowed the Warriors to shoot 51.6% from the floor, showed improvement defensively against the Pelicans. New Orleans star forwards Williamson and Ingram combined for 37 points but made just 12 of 35 shots in the game. Williamson, who did not play in the Pelicans' season-opening win over the Chicago Bulls because of an unspecified illness, was just 4 of 15 from the floor and scored 16 points in 29 minutes.

DONOVAN CLINGAN WITH A HIGHLIGHT

The rookie center was much more active against the Pelicans after a forgettable debut against the Warriors. Clingan grabbed six rebounds, including an offensive rebound that he turned into an impressive putback for the basket when he was fouled.

Clingan protected the rim with three blocks.

“I thought he was good,” Billups said of Clingan. “He gave us what we needed. I thought he was doing some work out there. I kept debating whether to take him out or not when he tweaked his ankle a little. But he gave us some great minutes. I thought he was good in the glass. We needed all of his rebounds and block shots.”

Next

The Blazers (0-2) host the New Orleans Pelicans (2-0) again on Sunday at 3 p.m.

—Geoffrey C. Arnold, The Oregonian/OregonLive