76ers vs. Trail Blazers – Game Recap – February 11, 2021

PORTLAND, Oregon – – Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers knew exactly what was coming when Carmelo Anthony rolled over to Portland.

Anthony scored 24 points off the bench, including 16 in the fourth quarter, and the Trail Blazers beat the Sixers 118-114 on Thursday night.

Once Carmelo is up and running, he’s still Carmelo. He reminded us of that tonight, ”Rivers said.

Damian Lillard had 30 points in Portland’s fourth win in five games.

Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 35 points and nine rebounds, and Ben Simmons added 23 points and 11 boards. The loss broke a four-game winning streak down the road.

The Sixers, who led the Eastern Conference, had won six of the seven, with the only defeat in that period a week ago for the Trail Blazers, 121-105. It was only the second loss at home for Philadelphia.

“I thought tonight was just one of those games where we felt we needed to win the game,” Anthony said. “I got warm in the fourth quarter and made some shots, got a great rhythm, gave our team another spark, some momentum, some energy, and we won the game. We know how important this game was to us as we compete against the top team in the East. “

After a back-and-forth game, the 76ers held the lead in the final period, but Anthony hit three consecutive 3-pointers to give the Blazers a 102-97 lead with 8:28 left.

Anthony added a few jumpers to make it 108-101. The Sixers came back to narrow the gap to 108-107 on Seth Curry’s pull-up jumper and Simmons’ layup.

Tobias Harris’ free throws led to a 109 junction before Gary Trent Jr.’s 3-pointer put the Blazers back up front. Lillard added a basket to make it 114-109 with 1:15 left.

Embiid’s pull-up closed the ballpark, after which Curry’s 3-pointer took it to 114 with 22.1 seconds to go. Stumbled by Harris, Anthony made a few free throws with 3.1 seconds to go. After a time-out, Robert Covington was deflected and stole the incoming game and Lillard made free throws to end it.

“He carried us in the fourth quarter,” Blazers coach Terry Stotts said of Anthony. “He got off to a really good start and he was vintage Melo. Hitting threes, doing some off-balance shots, just in a real rhythm and he gave points when we needed them. “

Embiid came in with an average of 29.1 points per game, good for fourth place in the NBA. He averaged 34.1 points and 10.1 rebounds over the last nine on his way to Thursday’s game.

Lillard came third in the league with an average of 29.4 points per game. He now has 14 games this season with 30 or more points.

The Blazers jumped out to a 20-13 lead and hit six three-pointers. But the Sixers came level with 28 on Simmons’ short jumper, pulling up front on Embiid’s dunk.

Portland was leading 37-36 at the end of the opening period. Lillard led the way for the Blazers with 19 points, a season high for a quarter this season.

Anfernee Simons’ floater gave the Blazers a 58-50 lead with just under five minutes to go before half time.

Blazers center Enes Kanter had to leave the game late in the half after being punched in the head by a teammate and bleeding profusely. He returned in the second half after getting stitches.

Embiid’s bank shot brought Philadelphia 63-60 at the break and he finished the half with 23 points. The teams struggled the rest of the way, putting up the scramble in the final minutes.

TIP-INS

76ers: We came from a 119-111 win over Sacramento to start a four game away swing. … Philadelphia was without Shake Milton because of a left ankle sprain. He was injured late in the game against the Kings.

Trail Blazers: It was the first of a back-to-back for Portland. … The Blazers wore their City Edition jerseys, which paid tribute to Oregon’s Native American communities. … The Blazers were without rookie CJ Elleby due to an illness. CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic continue to treat injuries.

THE GREAT GAME OF COVINGTON

Lillard praised Covington for his heads-up play to seal the win.

“He’s one of those guys with a knack for disrupting plays,” Lillard said. “He’s taking risks.”

As for Rivers, he said, “I think I could have played a better piece.”

NEXT ONE

The 76ers visit the Phoenix Suns on Saturday.

The Trail Blazers host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Fridays.

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