----- Damian Lillard scores 36 points and dishes out six assists as the Portland Trail Blazers win their third-straight game 118-103 over the Orlando Magic Friday night at Moda Center.
Damian Lillard scored 36 points and CJ McCollum finished with 31 and eight rebounds as the Trail Blazers won their third-straight game with a 118-103 victory over the Orlando Magic Friday night at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
The Blazers were able to win the game going away even after losing Carmelo Anthony in the second quarter to a bone bruise.
''Everything is good,'' Anthony said. ''It was just a knee-to-knee contusion. I've done it before. I didn't want to take a chance going out there, we were rolling and we set the tone early. I was fortunate enough to look at the score and we were up 20 at one point in time. It happens.''
Melo said he "intends" to play Saturday night against the Timberwolves.
The Trail Blazers led 31-13 after the first quarter, but the Magic responded with a 16-2 run to open the second quarter. Portland regrouped and opened their lead back to double-digits going into halftime at 57-44. Lillard helped Portland put the game away in the third scoring 16 points in the quarter.
The Blazers shot 50% from the field and connected on 17-of-36 from three-point range.
Hassan Whiteside continued his dominant play finishing with 10 points, 17 rebounds, and five blocks and Kent Bazemore added 11 on 4-of-8 shooting. Portland's bench added 25 points with Anfernee Simons and Skal Labissiere each scoring eight.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers play the second of a back-to-back tomorrow night at Moda Center against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00 PM.
Chad's Take- Orlando would be better off in the CBA.