PREVIEW: The Pelicans return home for a matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday at the Smoothie King Center , with both squads desperately seeking momentum in a season that's spiraled downward. New Orleans sits at 3-22 and will look to halt a four-game home losing streak , while Portland arrives at 9-15 still searching for consistency after a brutal stretch. The Pelicans have lost 16 of their last 17 games , a historically difficult stretch that has tested their resilience on both ends of the floor. Meanwhile, unfortunately no ShotQuality data is available for either team, making it harder to pinpoint the specific efficiency gaps that might determine this matchup's outcome. Both teams enter with significant injury concerns, as the Pelicans will be without Dejounte Murray and Zion Williamson , while the Trail Blazers will be missing Damian Lillard, Donovan Clingan, Blake Wesley, and Scoot Henderson. Portland possesses more overall quality compared to their opponent, especially in individual player contributions with the home team's three best players sidelined. New Orleans averages just 113 points on 45.8 percent shooting while allowing 123.7 points per contest , showing a squad struggling to generate offense or slow opposing attacks. In their first matchup this season, the Trail Blazers emerged victorious 125-117 , establishing themselves as the clear favorites heading into this crucial contest.