Blazers beat the Bulls behind Carmelo’s double double

Portland Trail Blazers forward Carmelo Anthony, left, speaks with head coach Terry Stotts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls in Portland, Ore., Friday, Nov. 29, 2019. The Blazers won 107-103. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)

PORTLAND, Oregon— Carmelo Anthony had 23 points and 11 rebounds and the Portland Trail Blazers downed Chicago 107-103 on Friday night for their second victory over the Bulls this week.

Damian Lillard added 28 points for the Blazers, who have won three straight after four consecutive losses. Hassan Whiteside had eight points, 15 rebounds and a franchise-record 10 blocks for Portland.

The Blazers led by as many as 12 points in the third quarter, but the Bulls pulled within 85-84 in the final period. CJ McCollum stalled the rally with a 3-pointer for Portland.

Anthony’s 3 made it 91-84 with 7:28 left and he held up three fingers for the cheering Moda Center crowd as the Bulls called a timeout.

Lauri Markkanen’s 3 closed the gap for Chicago to 93-92. Lillard answered with his own 3 to again hold off the Bulls. After Zach LaVine’s corner 3 with 31.7 seconds left narrowed it to 105-103, Whiteside tipped in Lillard’s shot for the win.

LaVine finished with 28 for the slumping Bulls, who have lost seven of their last nine games.

The Blazers have been boosted by the recent signing of Anthony, who scored 25 points in Portland’s 117-94 victory over the Bulls in Chicago on Monday.

The Blazers acquired Anthony to shore up the frontcourt and help the team overcome a slow start after going to the Western Conference finals last season. The deal was official Nov. 19.

Between the two games against the Bulls, the Blazers defeated Oklahoma City 136-119 on Wednesday night.

The Bulls fell to the injury-addled Golden State Warriors 104-90 on Wednesday at the new Chase Center to open a three-game road trip.

Tomas Satoransky was a game-time decision for the Bulls with a left toe bruise, but started. Ryan Arcidiacono, who has been slowed by a right elbow strain, also played.

Coby White’s layup put the Bulls up 28-22 near the end of the first quarter but neither team was able to reach a double-digit margin in the first half. Lillard’s layup gave Portland a 49-43 lead late in the opening half and the Blazers went into the break ahead 53-47.

LaVine led all scorers with 18 points at the half, but four of the Blazers starters were in double figures, including Anthony.

Whiteside had collected seven blocks by early in the third quarter, but he also picked up four personal fouls.

The Bulls pulled with 57-56 on Satoransky’s 3-pointer, but Lillard came back with a 3 for Portland. The Blazers went up 72-60 midway through the third quarter on McCollum’s 3-pointer as they appeared to pull away.

But White’s 3-pointer narrowed the gap to 79-76 and the Bulls rallied to within three points heading into the fourth quarter.

TIP INS

Bulls: The Bulls made 14 of 38 3-point attempts. … Chicago went into the game with 187 steals this season, most in the league. … It was the second of a three-game West Coast road swing that ends in Sacramento on Sunday. … The Bulls celebrated Thanksgiving and visited Nike while in Portland.

Trail Blazers: Anthony’s son Kiyan was at the game. … Whiteside had four blocks in the first quarter alone. … Portland has won seven straight against the Bulls. … Anthony moved into 10th place in the NBA for 20-point games with 755.

UP NEXT

The Bulls wrap up the road trip in Sacramento on Monday night.

The Trail Blazers visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, the first of a back-to-back. They’ll return home to play the Kings on Wednesday.