Up 3-0 in their first-round playoff matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers, Alvin Gentry and the New Orleans Pelicans are looking to finish off the sweep at home Saturday afternoon. It goes without saying that emotions might be running a tad high on the part of Blazers squad that was anticipating a deep run into the playoffs.
It’s in this that Portland decided to bring its physical game Saturday in New Orleans. And for their part, the Pelicans responded in kind.
Just check out these two plays from the second quarter of Game 4. It’s pretty insane stuff.
The first play shows Pelicans guard E’Twaun Moore fouled hard on a drive to the rim by Blazers counterpart C.J. McCollum. At that point, teammate Nikola Mirotic goes to his defense — getting into a shoving match with McCollum on the process.
Then, just a couple minutes later, Pelicans guard Rajon Rondo got into it with Blazers big man Zach Collins after the latter committed a loose ball foul.
New Orleans headed into halftime with a two-point lead. It also looks like the officials found a way to gain back control of the game.