Portland Trail Blazers at New Orleans Pelicans: Game preview, prediction, time, TV channel

The continue their five-game trip with their fourth game of the season against the New Orleans Pelicans at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The Blazers lead the series 2-1 and have a great chance to claim the series with a victory. If they can contain former Blazers guard CJ McCollum. Injuries have turned a promising season into a disastrous one for the Pelicans. But McCollum has been on a scoring roll, at least before Tuesday night. McCollum was held to five points on 1-of-14 shooting during a 104-97 loss at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Prior to that game, however, McCollum averaged 28.4 points on 51.8% shooting while hitting 49.3% of his three-point shots during an eight-game stretch. McCollum brought some spark to a team with the worst record in the Western Conference. The Pelicans' season has been disastrous. McCollum and Trey Murphy III each missed 13 games, Dejounte Murray missed 17, and Zion Williamson missed 30. Williamson returned against the Timberwolves, but it’s unclear if he would play both the second game of a back-to-back. Prediction: The Blazers have played well lately and will have had a day to rest after losing a heartbreaker at Detroit on Monday. New Orleans will likely be without Williamson, giving the Blazers a clear advantage. b>How to Watch: Rip City TV Network. If you don’t have cable, you can still watch this game live for FREE with the help of an HDTV antenna on your local ABC affiliate (Charge 2.2 in Portland). These antennas are very easy to install and cost around $20. You can purchase one at your local Bi-Mart or Fred Meyer, or buy one online at Walmart or from Amazon and have it shipped quickly to your home. Here are some instructions on how to set up an HDTV antenna on your television or other display. You can find out more about which channel Rip City TV Network is on in your area by using the channel finder here. Blazers: Deni Avdija (right wrist sprain) is questionable. Jerami Grant (face contusion) and Matisse Thybulle (right ankle sprain) are out. Pelicans: Brandon Ingram (left ankle sprain) is out. Trey Murphy III (left ankle sprain) missed Tuesday night’s game at Minnesota. Zion Williamson (hamstring) returned against Minnesota. The Blazers play at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Dallas Mavericks (20-16).