----- Carmelo Anthony scores a season-high 28 points including the game-winning bucket with 3.3 seconds remaining as the Portland Trail Blazers comeback to top the Toronto Raptors 101-99 on Tuesday night.
Melo turned back the clock Tuesday night in Toronto.
Carmelo Anthony scored a season-high 28 points including the game-winning shot with 3.3 seconds remaining as the Portland Trail Blazers erase a 14-point deficit to defeat the Toronto Raptors 101-99 at Scotiabank Arena.
Toronto took a 95-88 lead with 3:57 on a dunk from Oshae Brissett, but the Blazers responded with a 13-4 run led by Anthony and Damian Lillard. Anthony cut the deficit to three at 97-94 on a three-pointer from the corner with 1:46 remaining. Serg Ibaka extended Toronto's advantage to 99-94, but Lillard countered with two free throws and a 35-foot three to even the game at 99-99 with 38.5 seconds remaining.
Toronto's Patrick McCaw turned it over with 13.6 seconds remaining, giving the Blazers a chance at a winning shot. CJ McCollum got the ball to Anthony, who connected from near the free throw line.
“I was able to get to my spot and it felt good,” Anthony said. “Very important to get to my spot. Only thing I didn't want to do is settle, settle for that three. Once I was able to get to my spot, there was a great chance of that ball going in.”
Anthony's game-winning play was no surprise to Lillard.
''A guy with his type of ability, it's just a matter of opportunity,'' Lillard said. ''He had one guy guarding him and he got to his spot. Once he got to his spot and I saw him raising up, I thought it was going in.''
Portland led for a total of 17.3 seconds during the entire game. Besides the final score, Portland's only other lead was 4-3 in the first quarter.
Lillard scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half including 11 in the fourth, Hassan Whiteside added 14 points, 16 rebounds, and seven blocks, and Anfernee Simons scored 12 points off the bench.
Kyle Lowry led Toronto (24-13) with 24 points, and Serge Ibaka added 17 points and 11 rebounds as the injury-ravaged Raptors lost for just the second time in 16 games against opponents with losing records.
Up Next- Portland will finish their five-game road trip Thursday night in Minnesota against the Timberwolves. The game is scheduled to tip off at 5:00 PM.
Chad's Take- Melo turned back the clock tonight.