PORTLAND, Ore. – Jerami Grant scored 28 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 125-103 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans and their first win of the season on Sunday.

Anfernee Simons had 27 points and six assists as the Blazers bounced back from a 105-103 loss to the Pelicans on Friday. Deandre Ayton finished the game with a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds.

CJ McCollum had 27 points to lead the Pelicans in the second of two games against his former team.

After New Orleans opened the game with an 8-0 run, Portland stormed back and took a 59-47 lead into halftime. The Blazers extended the lead to as many as 24 in the second half.

Portland harassed the Pelicans on the glass, earning a 51-39 advantage in rebounding and a 22-15 advantage in offensive rebounds.

Takeaways

Pelicans: Pelicans coach Willie Green said Williamson will again be on a slight minutes restriction after 29 minutes on Friday. “It will be about the same,” Green said. Williamson struggled on Sunday, going 3-for-12 from the field.

Blazers: Deni Avdija was 5 for 21, including 1 for 8 from 3, in Portland's consecutive games against New Orleans. “I've got to run for him and make some shots for him,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. “But most of all we are all just trying to get to know Deni and vice versa.” Avdija finished the race with 11 points.

Key moment

Portland rookie Donovan Clingan blocked Williamson twice in the first half, which was one of the reasons Williamson shot 2-for-9 in the first two quarters.

Key statistics

New Orleans was 1 for 13 (7.7%) from the 3-point line in the first half, while Portland was 8 for 22 (36.4%).

Next

The Pelicans visit Golden State on Tuesday, while Portland visits Sacramento on Monday.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA