New Orleans sweeps past Trail Blazers

Anthony Davis scored 33 of his franchise playoff-record 47 points in the second half and the New Orleans Pelicans completed a first-round playoff sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers with a 131-123 victory Saturday.

Jrue Holiday capped his 41-point performance with an 18-foot pullup jumper that gave the Pelicans a six-point lead with 40 seconds left.

Rajon Rondo added 16 assists and Davis also had 11 rebounds and three blocks for New Orleans, which is moving on to the second round of the playoffs for only the second time since the NBA returned to the city 16 seasons ago.

C.J. McCollum scored 38 for the Trail Blazers, who responded to a blowout loss in Game 3 by keeping Game 4 close until the final minute. Al-Farouq Aminu scored 27, Damian Lillard added 18 points and Jusuf Nurkic had 18 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out.

Lillard’s difficult driving layup had tied the game at 60-60 when the Pelicans briefly pulled away, going on an 11-2 run capped by Davis’ three.

Soon after, Nikola Mirotic added step-back three. Davis, who scored 19 in the third quarter, then added a layup while falling down after a hard foul by Aminu, after which Davis flexed both biceps while still sitting on the court.

Holiday’s transition three made it 87-72, prompting Portland to call timeout while Holiday walked slowly toward midcourt, nodding and smiling wide as he soaked in the crowd’s adulation.

New Orleans led by 13 to start the fourth quarter, but Portland refused to wilt, opening the period on a 15-4 run that included Nurkic’s hook shot, 20-foot jumper and dunk. McCollum’s transition layup made it 104102 with nearly nine minutes to play.

T-Wolves halt 14-year playoff win drought

MINNEAPOLIS

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— Jimmy Butler hit four three-pointers among his 28 points and Karl-Anthony Towns snapped back from a bad start to the series with 18 points and 16 rebounds, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Houston Rockets 121-105 in Game 3 Saturday for their first post-season victory in 14 years. Jeff Teague scored 23 points and Andrew Wiggins pitched in with 20 points for the Wolves, who will try to even the series Monday.