New York has been operating in a frigid manner with 14 defeats in 17 games and has slipped 6 1/2 games out in the hunt for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.TV: 8 p.m. ET, CSN Northwest (Portland), MSG (New York)ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (32-28): Lillard averaged 29.82 points in February and according to Elias Sports Bureau, that ranks as the third highest-scoring month in Portland franchise history.
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It was the eighth time in the last nine games Lillard has scored 30 or more points.
The contest was close early on, as NY trailed by two after one quarter, but Lillard began to heat up quickly en route to 24 points by the end of the first half.
Anthony attacked Portland’s defense all night, shooting 10 for 20 in 34 minutes on the floor.
For the Knicks, Carmelo Anthony put up another double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort, Arron Afflalo had 13 points with six rebounds, Kristaps Porzingis had 11 points with seven rebounds and three blocks, Kyle O’Quinn had 11 points and nine rebounds off the bench. “Some of those plays they defended well”.
“It seems natural”, Portland coach Terry Stotts said.
Anthony was on the bench at the time, while the heckler was a few rows back.
The Knicks just can’t get much right these days.
“I was trying to figure out if I had my legs underneath me”, Anthony said after the Knicks lost for the 15th time in their last 18 games.
Knicks: New York had zero assists on its 11 first-quarter baskets…. A 3-pointer by forward Lance Thomas cut New York’s deficit to 78-72 with 1:42 remaining.McCollum knocked down two shots and then made a nifty cross-court pass to guard Allan Crabbe, resulting in a corner 3-pointer and an 85-72 lead through three quarters. “We’re all frustrated”, interim coach Kurt Rambis told reporters after Monday’s practice. Stotts joined Nate McMillian and Rick Adelman as Trail Blazers coach to win the award three times.
The dunk attempt took place late in the first quarter.
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Stotts was asked if Lillard had a case to win West player of the month honors. “I don’t know who makes that decision but certainly there’s a case”.
