Blazers fall as Anthony has 10 in debut
NEW ORLEANS >> Jrue Holiday had 22 points and 10 assists, Brandon Ingram added 21 points, and the New Orleans Pelicans spoiled Carmelo Anthony’s Portland debut with a 115104 victory over the Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.
Anthony finished with 10 points while Portland leading scorer and four-time All- Star Damian Lillard missed his first game of the season with back spasms.
Starting at forward and playing across the street from where he led Syracuse to the 2003 NCAA championship over Kansas, Anthony scored the Blazers’ first points of the game on a 3-pointer from 26 feet out, but wound up missing 10 of 14 shots in what was the first game of his 17th NBA season.
J. J. Redick hit 4 of 9 3-pointers and scored 14 points for New Orleans, which has won two straight and three of four. Kenrich Williams, who got the start at forward, filled the stat sheet with hustle plays, grabbing 14 rebounds to go with three steals and a blocked shot. He also scored eight points.
KINGS 120, SUNS 116 >> Bogdan Bogdanovic set career highs with 31 points and seven 3-pointers, and Sacramento
beat Phoenix.
Richaun Holmes had 20 points and 15 rebounds, Nemanja Bjelica scored 17 points and Harrison Barnes added 15 for Sacramento. The Kings have won four of five.
Devin Booker had 30 points, eight assists and five rebounds for Phoenix. Kelly Oubre Jr. and Mikal Bridges scored 20 points apiece.
Bogdanovic shot 11 of 14 overall and was 7 of 9 beyond the arc. He made four 3s and had 14 of Sacramento’s 16 points during one stretch in the second quarter, then made three more from the perimeter in the fourth to help the Kings hold on.
Phoenix trailed by 26 early in the third quarter. The Suns were within 9081 early in the fourth but couldn’t stop Bogdanovic. The 27- year- old Serbian scored 11 points in the final 12 minutes, including his seventh 3-pointer that made it 106- 91.
Phoenix made a final push to get within 116113 with 14 seconds left before Yogi Ferrell and Holmes made two free throws apiece for Sacramento.
Ricky Rubio had one point and two assists in 16 minutes. Rubio did not play in Monday’s loss to Boston because of back spasms.