The set-up: The New Orleans Pelicans finished 48-34 in the tightly-bunched Western Conference (not including Houston and Golden State), to earn the No. 6 seed in a 'seedings race' that saw the West's No. 3 through No. 8 seeds separated by only games two games (Denver missed the postseason by just one game!). Five-time All-Star Anthony Davis has never been part of a postseason victory during his already stellar career, as the Pelicans were swept in four games by the Warriors in Davis' lone previous playoff experience back in 2015. "Even though he's younger than me and I've been in the league (three) years longer, he's someone you look up to, especially in an environment where everything is kind of ego-driven," 27-year-old guard Jrue Holiday told reporters. "There is an aura (in the NBA) of having selfishness, and him being our leader and franchise player, but not having any of that, it sets the tone." Davis looks to 'change the narrative,' when the Pelicans open their Western Conference first-round series on Saturday in Portland against the third-seeded Trail Blazers and their 49-33 record (just one game better than the Pelicans' mark!). Portland also features its own ego-free superstar in PG Damian Lillard, who averaged 26.9 points (as well as 4.5 RPG & 6.6 APG) during the third All-Star season of his burgeoning standout career. The Blazers are the third seed in the West, their best positioning since also being the No. 3 seed in 2000, when they reached the Western Conference finals before losing a seven-game series to the Los Angeles Lakers (seems like a lifetime ago). The teams split four regular-season meetings, with the most recent encounter won 107-103 by Portland on March 27 when Lillard scored 41 points and Davis tallied 36 for New Orleans.

New Orleans; Davis (28.1-11.1-2.6 BPG) led the Pelicans on a five-game winning streak to close the regular season, as New Orleans recorded its third-highest victory total (48) in franchise history. Davis averaged 31.5 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots in his previous playoff experience and he is primed for another opportunity on the postseason stage. The Pelicans persevered this season, despite a season-ending injury to All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins (25.2 & 12.9) in late January. Combo guard Holiday (career-high 19-point average plus 4.5 RPG & 6.0 APG) was among the players who picked up the scoring slack when Cousins went down, as did Mirotic (acquired in a trade from the Bulls), as he averaged 14.6 & 8.2 in his 30 games with New Orleans.

Portland: It's no secret that the Blazers rely heavily on their dynamic backcourt duo of Lillard and McCollum (21.4-4.0-3.4). Center Nurkic (14.3 & 9.0) will be tasked with slowing Davis while also providing some much-needed scoring punch. After all, he's Portland's only other double digit scorer outside of Lillard and McCollum. Lillard tied for fourth in the NBA in scoring, was 10th in assists and 11th in efficiency rating at 25.0. He combines with CJ McCollum to form one of the most potent backcourt combinations in the league but the question is, will Portlan's trio be enough?.

The pick: Davis carried the load for a New Orleans team that went 20-8 since Feb. 10, winning its last five games. However, the Blazers enter with loads of confidence, after winning 21 of their last 24 home contests at the Moda Center. More importantly, Portland's 24-game 'finishing kick' at home saw them go 19-4-1 ATS, as well. I'm not about the buck the Blazers on their homecourt in Game 1. Make Portland a 10* play.