The set-up: The Pelicans blew almost all of their 19-point lead in Game 1 of their series with the Trail Blazers but managed to hold on for a 97-95 win. Anthony Davis felt the pressure dissipating in the final seconds of the opener. He had never been part of a playoff win until the Pelicans' victory on Saturday but after scoring 35 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and blocking four blocked shots, he now looks help the Pelicans take a 2-0 lead when they play again tonight in Portland. "It means a lot to get that monkey off your back and get your first win," Davis told reporters. "Now that's over with, and we want to come in Tuesday and get another one. That's our mindset." Portland has to be a little stunned, as the Blazers entered Saturday's contest having won 21 of their last 24 regular-season home games. "I think it puts some pressure on us," Portland's star guard Damian Lillard told reporters. "You come in with home court, the first two games are on your floor, and you lose. And now they're saying in their locker room, 'We got one, why not get another?'"

New Orleans: Davis was the key player in Game 1 (duh!) but veteran PG Rajon Rondo reminded all why he's earned the tag "Playoff Rondo." He once again elevated his play and matched the franchise record for assists in a playoff game (17 by Chris Paul in 2008) plus helped force Lillard into 6-of-23 shooting. Rondo has averages of 14.3 points, 9.2 assists and 1.9 steals in 97 career playoff games and head coach Alvin Gentry appreciates the calmness he provides to younger less-experienced players. Let's not forget contributions of combo guard Holiday (19.0-4.5-6.0 during the regular season), as he chipped in 21 points. Then there was 6-10 forward Mirotic (14.6 & 8.2 in 30 games since coming from Chicago in a trade), who produced a double-double (16 & 11), the first of his postseason career.

Portland: The Blazers have relied all season on their dynamic duo of a backcourt, as Lillard (26.9-4.5-6.6) and McCollum (21.4-4.0-3.4) combined to average just over 48 points per game during the regular season. Center Jusuf Nurkic (14.3 & 9.0) was the only other Blazer to average in double digits during the year. Portland shot just 37.8 percent from the floor in Game 1, as well as struggling to just 36 points in the first half. Lillard and McCollum combined to shoot 31.7% (13-of-41) for the game and that just won't do. Nurkic had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds but he was just 3-of-7 shooting in addition to having trouble defending Davis. Backup PF Ed Davis collected 13 rebounds in just 20 minutes in Game 1 but Portland can't expect more of that from him.

The pick: Bottom line is this. Portland can't win if Lillard and backcourt mate CJ McCollum combine for three points on 1-of-15 shooting in the first half, again. However, why would anyone expect them to play so poorly again? In fact, the Blazers got un-tracked for 59 second-half points in Game 1, although it was too little, too late. .I sure expect Portland to bring its "A-game" but the Pelicans, including their Game 1 win, are an impressive 25-17 SU and 27-15 ATS on the road this season. A "typical" New Orleans road game has averaged 218.4 PPG and after a 97-95 contest in Game 1, the play here is a 10* on the Over.