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Carmelo Anthony swaps shirts with LaMelo Ball, a hug in mutual honor originally appeared on NBC Sports Northwest
Damian Lillard got some much needed help Monday night at the Moda Center. Actually a lot of help.
And that made a big difference in the Trail Blazers’ 123-111 victory over the Charlotte Hornets which featured a post-game rally.
The big news was that Portland set a franchise record scoring 24 three-point field goals – and Lillard didn’t have to shoot most of them. Sure, he hit six threes, but six other Trail Blazers knocked down at least one long-range shot, as Portland connected on 24 of 46.
Robert Covington – perhaps playing his best all-around game in a Blazer uniform – has made five of his seven attempts and Carmelo Anthony has made six of his 10 attempts.
Anthony almost single-handedly kept the Hornets at bay throughout the stretch. Anthony had a 17-point fourth quarter, in which he made six of his seven shots, including his five three-pointers.
“I liked the way Melo held on – he started slowly in the first half,” said coach Terry Stotts. “But he ended up making a lot of plays in the first half and obviously his second half shot really got us over the bump.
“I still love him no matter who it is, but when Melo goes about it it’s fun to watch.”
The Trail Blazers broke away from a 59-59 halftime draw to take control of the game and end a four-game losing streak.
Anthony’s 29 was leading Portland, but there were top-to-bottom boxscore contributors.
Covington was 21 and posted numbers throughout his stats line. Lillard had 23 with 10 assists, Gary Trent had 17, Enes Kanter had 11 points and 11 rebounds and Nassir Little had 11 points.
The “other†Melo of the game, Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball, edged the Portland Melo by one point and ended the night with a jersey swap.
“I’m trying to embrace the next generation of guys and the young players,†Anthony said. “It was fun playing against him tonight. You know I’ve been watching him since he was in high school. ”
It is an honor for him to have this name for him to kiss her. It’s a blessing – it’s a thing of respect to me.
Carmelo Anthony on LaMelo Ball
“Just so that I could be in front of him tonight, have the chance to really see his game up close, in person, see him, what type of person he is … It was just that we did that this evening.
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