New Orleans Pelicans: 3 takeaways from Game 1 vs. Blazers

After stealing Game 1 from the Portland Trail Blazers, the New Orleans Pelicans have started off the 2018 NBA Playoffs the right way.

Well, so much for Anthony Davis not having any playoff wins to his name.

The New Orleans Pelicans ended the first day of action in the 2018 NBA Playoffs with a bang, stealing home-court advantage away from the Portland Trail Blazers with a nail-biting 97-95 win in Game 1.

The game looked to be at blowout proportions, as the Pelicans built a 19-point lead in the third quarter before Portland made a spirited comeback that fell just short.

Anthony Davis was his usual superstar self, finishing with a game-high 35 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks in 40 minutes of playing time.

Both Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum struggled early, as the dynamic backcourt ended the first half with a combined three points on 1-of-15 shooting before heating up in the second to the tune of 34 points on 12-of-26 shooting from the field.

While it is highly unlikely that both Dame and C.J. struggle on the same night again, New Orleans definitely took this game from the Blazers, flashing a two-way dominance that could make them very scary in the games to come.

The Pelicans should feel good about this win. Here are three things they should look to carry into Game 2 if they want to get especially greedy in Portland.