Trail Blazers 105, Knicks 100: Nicolas Batum scored 13 of his 26 points in the third quarter and finished with six 3-pointers as visiting Portland overcame Carmelo Anthony's season high-tying 45-point performance.
Rookie Damian Lillard had 21 points and J.J. Hickson recorded all 18 of his in the first half for the Trail Blazers, who posted their second consecutive win.
After missing two games with a hyperextended left knee, Anthony went 14-for-24 from the field and sank five 3-pointers - although his last attempt caromed off the rim in the waning moments. Amar'e Stoudemire made his season debut off the bench and recorded just six points in 17 minutes for the Knicks, who have dropped three of their last five home games after winning their first 10 to start the season.
Batum capped a 16-4 tear with his third 3-pointer as Portland opened up a 46-27 advantage. The Trail Blazers threatened to run away with it, but the Knicks went on an 11-4 run - capped by Anthony's buzzer-beating 3-pointer off the glass - to trim Portland's lead to 58-47 at halftime.
New York was able to cut its deficit to three on multiple occasions, the last coming on a three-point play by Anthony that got it within 103-100.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Stoudemire received a standing ovation from the Madison Square Garden faithful when he entered the game with 3:31 remaining in the first quarter. Stoudemire, who promptly committed a turnover on his first possession, was seeing his first game action following left knee surgery on Oct. 31. ... Anthony's 24 first-half points on Tuesday were only eclipsed this season by his 26 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 13. ... Portland outrebounded New York by a 26-13 margin in the first half.
Portland | New York | |
Nicolas Batum 26 | Scoring | Carmelo Anthony 45 |
Nicolas Batum 6 | Assists | JR Smith 5 |
LaMarcus Aldridge 14 | Rebounds | JR Smith 11 |
Nicolas Batum 6 | Free Throws Made | Carmelo Anthony 12 |
Damian Lillard 2 | Steals | Jason Kidd 3 |
N/A | Blocks | Tyson Chandler 1 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Portland | 105 | 50.6 | 11-33 | 12-18 | 22 | 47 | 0 | 6 | 16 |
New York | 100 | 42.9 | 10-37 | 18-24 | 18 | 37 | 2 | 9 | 10 |