Pelicans are spoilers in Anthony’s debut
Jrue Holiday had 22 points and 10 assists, Brandon Ingram added 21 points and the host New Orleans Pelicans spoiled Carmelo Anthony’s Portland debut with a 115-104 victory over the Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.
Anthony finished with 10 points. Portland’s leading scorer, fourtime All-Star Damian Lillard, missed his first game of the season because of back spasms.
Anthony, 35, agreed to contract terms with the Trail Blazers last week but was officially signed Tuesday after passing a recent physical.
Starting at forward and playing across the street from where he led Syracuse to the 2003 NCAA title over Kansas, Anthony scored Portland’s first points of the game on a 26-foot three-pointer, but he wound up missing 10 of 14 field-goal attempts in the first game of his 17th NBA season.
“It felt great just to be back into the f low of the game, be back on the court, be back to where I think I belong,” Anthony said.
Said Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts: “For having [only] a morning shootaround, I thought he was pretty good. I thought every shot he had, he was getting a good look at the basket.”
Ingram looked spry in his return from right knee soreness that sidelined him four games, particularly on a driving dunk that got the crowd roaring in the first quarter.
JJ Redick hit four of nine threepoint attempts and scored 14 points for New Orleans, which has won two straight and three of four.
C.J. McCollum led Portland with 22 points, and Hassan Whiteside had 14 points and 14 rebounds. The Trail Blazers have lost eight of their last 10.
Golden State 114, at Memphis 95:
Alec Burks scored a season-high 29 points, Glenn Robinson III added 20 and the Warriors ended a sevengame skid with a commanding victory. Rookie Ja Morant scored 20 points for the Grizzlies, who lost their second straight.
at Sacramento 120, Phoenix 116:
Bogdan Bogdanovic set career highs with 31 points and seven three-pointers for the Kings, who have won four of five. Bogdanovic was seven for nine beyond the arc. Richaun Holmes added 20 points and 15 rebounds. Devin Booker had 30 points, eight assists and five rebounds for the Suns, who have lost three of four.
at Lakers 112, Oklahoma City 107