The short-handed Toronto Raptors looked like they were going to defend homecourt before Damian Lillard and Carmelo Anthony decided to take over.
The Portland Trail Blazers escaped Scotiabank Arena with a win, going on a 13-4 run in the final four minutes. Lillard knocked down a pair of clutch 3-pointers while Melo had a corner 3 to keep his team in the game, then buried the game-winning midrange jumper to send his team home with a victory.
Anthony finished with a game-high 28 points shooting 10-for-17 from the field, posting his best game with the Blazers so far this season.
If you missed any of the action, we had you covered with live updates, highlights and more below.
Toronto Raptors vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Final: Portland Trail Blazers 101, Toronto Raptors 99
Kyle Lowry's 3-pointer at the buzzer was just off the mark as the Blazers escape with a comeback win in Toronto.
Portland closed the game on a 13-4 run in the final four minutes, capped off by a game-winner from Carmelo Anthony.
Melo led the way with a team-high 28 points shooting 10-for-17 from the field and 5-for-8 from 3 to go with his game-winning jumper. He was Portland's consistent source of offence throughout the game, leading his team to victory.
CARMELO ANTHONY WINS IT FOR PORTLAND!
- NBA (@NBA) January 8, 2020
Final in Toronto:@trailblazers 101@Raptors 99 pic.twitter.com/IQnPYbVugB
Damian Lillard got things going at the end to finish with 20 points and nine assists while Hassan Whiteside had a double-double of 14 points and 16 rebounds.
For the Raptors, Kyle Lowry (24p, 10a) and Serge Ibaka (17p, 11r) each notched double-doubles but aside from 12 points apiece off the bench from Chris Boucher and Oshae Brissett, they didn't get much help.
Carmelo Anthony for the lead!
Carmelo Anthony knocks down the midrange jumper to take a two-point lead with three seconds remaining! Raptors ball after the timeout.
Turnover Raptors
A miscommunication between Kyle Lowry and Patrick McCaw led to a turnover with the score tied at 99 and 13 seconds on the clock. Trail Blazers ball out of the timeout with a chance to win the game.
Damian Lillard and Carmelo Anthony bury clutch shots
Don't go anywhere yet! We're tied at 99 with 38 seconds remaining after Damian Lillard buried a 3-pointer, followed by a Carmelo Anthony corner 3, followed by another deep 3-ball from Lillard! The star guard has shaken off the cobwebs and is up to 20 points after back-to-back 3s.
COLD OUTSIDE.
- Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 8, 2020
COLD INSIDE.
🗳️: https://t.co/jRtJlt9pd1 pic.twitter.com/YpK2ppjJoK
Raptors trying to pull away
After a 10-0 personal run by Chris Boucher, the Blazers answered to stay in the game. Oshae Brissett knocked down another big 3-pointer to give the Raptors a seven-point lead with 4:34 remaining in the game, forcing Portland to take a timeout.
Confidence thru the roof@Obrissy - 10p/6r pic.twitter.com/fqTJUV7Rdp
- Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 8, 2020
Chris Boucher starts the fourth quarter strong
Chris Boucher scored five points in a row for the Raptors to extend their lead to double figures at 83-73, forcing a Trail Blazers timeout. He challenged Carmelo Anthony at the rim with a strong finish in transition, then knocked down a spot-up corner 3-pointer to get Scotiabank Arena rocking.
Slimm Buckets pic.twitter.com/T1Xn07lZBF
- Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 8, 2020
End of third quarter: Raptors 78, Trail Blazers 69
The Raptors take a nine-point lead heading in to the final frame despite controlling the tempo for the majority of the game. Kyle Lowry is up to 22 points, eight assists and four rebounds but Serge Ibaka is the only other Raptor in double figures with 15 points.
Carmelo Anthony is still holding it down for the Blazers with a team-high 18 points. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum continue to struggle, combining for 17 points shooting 6-for-24 from the field and 1-for-9 from 3.
36 played. 12 to go. pic.twitter.com/o5DvGKS43j
- Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 8, 2020
Kent Bazemore has been ejected
The Blazers started to make a run after a deep 3-ball from Damian Lillard, cutting the Raptors lead to just eight. After coming up with a stop, Kent Bazemore attacked the rim and felt he was fouled. He was given two consecutive technicals for arguing with the ref and has been ejected from the game.
He finished with seven points, two rebounds and two steals shooting 3-for-10 from the field.
International Logo Lillard pic.twitter.com/DBTgGqjMBc
- Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 8, 2020
Raptors extend their lead
The Raptors have extended their lead to 14 at 66-22. They're just flat out playing harder than the Blazers and the score indicates that. OG Anunoby knocked down a 3-pointer and Patrick McCaw had a beautiful steal and finish in transition to build the lead. Hassan Whiteside now has a double-double for Portland with 10 points and 14 rebounds.
Halftime: Raptors 56, Trail Blazers 46
The Raptors lead by 10 at the half despite playing short-handed. Kyle Lowry is feeling it, scoring 17 points on 5-for-9 shooting from the field to lead the team. Serge Ibaka has 11 points and eight rebounds while two-way player Oshae Brissett is making his impact felt off the bench with seven points and four boards.
Carmelo Anthony is the only player that has shots falling for the Blazers with a team-high 13 points. Damian Lillard went the entire first half without a field goal (0-3 FG) and has just two points. C.J. McCollum hasn't been much better with six points shooting 3-for-10 from the field.
The Raptors are holding the Blazers to 37.5% from the field and 25.0% from 3.
Positive half of ball. pic.twitter.com/c1wmZmNchu
- Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 8, 2020
Carmelo Anthony trying to keep the Blazers in it
The Raptors only lead by seven at 46-39 and that's because Carmelo Anthony is keeping the Trail Blazers in it. He's up to 10 points shooting 3-for-6 from the field with a pair of 3-pointers. Damian Lillard has yet to find the basket with zero points shooting 0-for-3 from the field, but he does have four assists.
Hassan 🚫
- Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 8, 2020
Melo 🥶 pic.twitter.com/a743y5cPUC
Kyle Lowry gets going
Kyle Lowry rode the momentum of the bench unit, checking in immediately knocking down a 3-pointer, followed by a strong and-one take to expand the Raptors' lead. Toronto is up 39-27 with 6:52 to play in the half.
No stopping that man.
- Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 8, 2020
Vote @Klow7 ⭐️ https://t.co/kQYeprYRUk pic.twitter.com/0bCMSumlBq
End of first quarter: Raptors 24, Trail Blazers 15
The Raptors second unit provided a huge boost of energy off the bench, ending the quarter on an 8-0 run. A lineup of Malcolm Miller, Oshae Brissett, Matt Thomas, Stanley Johnson and Chris Boucher helped Toronto close the quarter strong to take a nine-point lead.
Beautiful basketball pic.twitter.com/88KHoQlUMR
- Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 8, 2020
Serge Ibaka and Carmelo Anthony battling early on
At the first stoppage in play, the Raptors lead the Blazers 12-11. Serge Ibaka has provided the spark early on with seven quick points going 3-for-4 from the field. Carmelo Anthony is battling right back at him, scoring five points with a 3-pointer.
just like we drew it up! pic.twitter.com/IR1oTbCdCy
- Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 8, 2020
Pregame
The Trail Blazers will start Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, Kent Bazemore, Carmelo Anthony and Hassan Whiteside.
C.J. McCollum (illness) is available for the Trail Blazers tonight.
CJ McCollum (upper respiratory illness) is available for tonight's game in Toronto
- Casey Holdahl (@CHold) January 7, 2020
The Raptors starting lineup looks a bit different without Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol, Fred VanVleet or Norm Powell. This is their seventh different lineup this season.
Tonight's @Invisalign starting lineup. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/PC1L6CCaFb
- Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 7, 2020
