----- Carmelo Anthony passes Alex English into 18th all-time on the NBA's scoring list as the Portland Trail Blazers snap a four-game losing streak with a 117-94 win over the Chicago Bulls Monday night at United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Portland Coach Terry Stotts had something to celebrate on his 62nd birthday.
Carmelo Anthony passed Alex English into 18th all-time on the NBA's scoring list as the Trail Blazers snapped a four-game losing streak with a 117-94 win over the Chicago Bulls Monday night at United Center in Chicago.
“All of his teammates have a lot of respect for what he’s done in his career,” Terry Stotts said. “They’re proud to have him on their team. It was a special night in his career, to pass Alex English.”
Anthony scored 25 points on 10-of-20 shooting and pulled down eight rebounds as he led the team in scoring for the first time since joining the team.
“I’m starting to get my feel and flow back,” Anthony said. “I’m taking it one day at a time. Tonight felt like I had my bounce, had my pop. We had to win and it was a great way to end the road trip. It was a great night. Just trying to take it one game at a time. Today was being in the moment…. doing what I have to do… doing what I can to help us win. And the ball went in tonight.”
Anthony had plenty of help in the win. This was the first time during the season when all five Blazers' starters scored in double-figures. CJ McCollum scored 21 points and Rodney Hood added 16 points and six rebounds. Damian Lillard scored just 13 points in 27 minutes.
Chicago led 28-27 after the first quarter, but Portland responded by closing the half on a 12-6 run taking a 62-54 lead into halftime. The Blazers extended their lead to 90-68 in the third to put the game away.
After getting dominated in the paint in their previous four losses, Portland had a 50-48 edge in points in the paint and dominated the glass with a 55-37 edge in rebounding.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers return home to meet the OKC Thunder Wednesday night at Moda Center. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00 PM.
Chad's Take- Thankfully the road trip is over. The Blazers return home battered and bruised after going 2-4 on the trip and just 3-10 in the month of November.