Carmelo Anthony spent most of the first half reminding the Denver Nuggets who used to take names and dominate the opposition in a No. 15 jersey. Unfortunately for the Portland Trail Blazers, Nikola Jokic reminded them of who wears it now. With some late-game help from star teammate Jamal Murray, the two of them put together enough plays to escape with a hard-fought 111-106 victory.
The loss dropped the Blazers to 18-13, and into the West’s No. 6 spot with four games remaining in the NBA’s first half schedule.
This loss in particular is unusual, in that Portland went three quarters with only one player — Anthony — scoring off the bench.