Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images Portland Trail Blazers forward Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony authored the finest moment of his comeback tour to date on Tuesday night when he hit the game-winning jump shot against the defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors.
CARMELO ANTHONY WINS IT FOR PORTLAND!
Final in Toronto:
@trailblazers 101
@Raptors 99
The Portland Trail Blazers overcame a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to knock off the Raptors on the road, 101-99.
With the game tied at 99, Anthony rose to the occasion and drilled a jumper from just beyond the free-throw line to put the Blazers up with 3.3 seconds left.
Anthony had a game-high 28 points and was 5-of-8 from three-point range, while also adding seven boards, two steals and an assist.
There were signs of vintage Melo on Tuesday, as Anthony propelled the short-handed Blazers to their second win in three games.
Melo with the quick cross and triple. 👌
📱💻: t.co/lZZApswzuX
Anthony has been resurgent in his comeback since signing with the Blazers back on Nov. 19, averaging 16 points and 6 rebounds per game in 22 contests coming into Tuesday night’s game with the Raptors. The ten-time NBA All-Star had sat out for a year before being picked up by Portland.
The 35-year-old Anthony has now made 17 career go-ahead shots in the final five seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime, according to ESPN.
“A shot I work on everyday.”
@carmeloanthony walks us through his @trailblazers game-winning jumper.
The Blazers, who have been without the services of Jusuf Nurkic, Rodney Hood, Zach Collins and Skal Labissiere due to injuries, climb to within a half a game of the San Antonio Spurs for the eighth and final playoff position in the Western Conference.
Damian Lillard Hits 35-Footer to Tie Game in Fourth Quarter
It’s how you finish.
The Blazers trailed by ten points at the half and by nine after three quarters before breaking out to outscore the Raptors 32-21 in the fourth, en route to their come-from-behind victory on Tuesday.
Assisting Anthony in the comeback effort was Damian Lillard, who scored 20 points including his clutch 35-foot three-pointer that tied the game with 38 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Blazers center Hassan Whiteside had a monster game, scoring 14 points and bringing down 16 rebounds.
The Raptors were led by Kyle Lowry, who scored 24 points and added 10 rebounds.
Tuesday’s loss was only the Raptors’ second defeat at the hands of an opponent with a losing record in 16 games this season.
LeBron James Gives Shoutout to Anthony: ‘I guess he was washed too’
Anthony’s game-winning performance made instant waves around the league.
Prior to the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, LeBron James gave a shoutout to his good friend Melo on his Instagram story, posting the highlight video of Anthony’s game-winner along with the caption, “BANG BANG!! OH I GUESS HE WAS WASHED TOO HUH??.”
Instagram – @kingjames
James bestowed the label #WashedKing upon himself coming into this season, as he dealt with critics doubting his ability to play in his mid-thirties.
The 35-year-old James has been on a tear for the West-leading Lakers, averaging 24.9 points, 11 assists and 7.9 rebounds per game.