Recap: Whiteside, Blazers Get Tough Win Over Bulls, 107-103

The home team beat the traffic, beat the cold, and beat the visiting squad for the second time in a week.

Carmelo Anthony had 23 points and 11 rebounds, Damian Lillard had 28 points, and the Portland Trail Blazers held off the Chicago Bulls, 107-103, Friday night in Portland. Chicago closed the gap to within two with seconds to play, but Hassan Whiteside tipped in a Lillard miss to secure the game. Zach LaVine had 28 points for the Bulls.

Here are tonight’s takeaways:

• The Killers hit song: Mr. Whiteside: Hassan Whiteside broke the team record for blocks in a game with ten. The previous record of nine was held by Theo Ratliff twice, Bill Walton twice, Mychal Thompson, and Joel Pryzbilla, who did it most recently April 2, 2006. Whiteside recorded six of them in the first half, and his block party was rendered more difficult due to party fouls, but another impressive defensive performance. Whiteside’s career best is 12, set January 25, 2015, also against the Chicago Bulls. Hassan also had 15 rebounds, coming two points short of an unconventional triple-double.
• Rough night from range: Despite heating up from three in the second half, the Blazers still just shot 10-of-30 from three for the game. Lillard was 3-of-11, and the bench combined to go 0-for-5.
• Big night for beleaguered acquisitions: Carmelo Anthony had a dominant fourth quarter in all facets of the game. Hassan Whiteside was a defensive presence throughout the game. Kent Bazemore had key steals that helped rally the team. It was a strong showing all around for the new guys in town.

What’s Next

The Blazers get an extended break before facing the Los Angeles Clippers in Tinsel Town on Tuesday.

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