2018 NBA Playoffs: Grading each first round playoff series 

Portland Trail Blazers vs New Orleans Pelicans - A

Anthony Davis was a monster in this series

Alvin Gentry's Pelicans side gave neutrals the best basketball treat one could ask for during the playoffs - a sweep over a 3rd-seeded team favored by nearly everyone to progress to the Conference Semifinals. In 4 games, the Pelicans outmaneuvered, outthought, outran and outplayed the Trail Blazers to become the first team to seal their entry into the Conference Semifinals.

Anthony Davis beasted, as he was expected to given his extraordinary regular season campaign - he averaged 33.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.8 blocks and 1.8 steals in what was the most dominant two-way display by any player in the first round of the playoffs.

Giving him stellar support was Jrue Holiday, who racked up 27.8 points, 6.5 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game over the series. Rajon Rondo rose to become his best, savant self on the court while averaging 13.3 assists per game - the highest by a player in a 4-game playoff series in NBA history. Nikola Mirotic played his part as well.

The utter inability of Damian Lillard to get any offensive rhythm going can largely be attributed to the Pelicans' highly effective trapping scheme and Holiday's pesky on-ball defense.

CJ McCollum had a big game 4, but in the absence of steady support, his 38-point performance was in vain for a Trail Blazers side which had overachieved in the regular season and went into the playoffs on the back of 4 defeats in 5 games.