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Tuesday, Jan. 23 8:30pm ET
Blazers say they have moved on

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

CHICAGO (AP) -- Greg Anthony's long-range shooting helped the Portland Trail Blazers rediscover their offense Tuesday night.

One night after they set a franchise low with 58 points in a loss at Cleveland, the Trail Blazers got five 3-pointers from Anthony in the second half and held on to beat the Chicago Bulls 104-100.

"We didn't even discuss it. It was an aberration," Anthony said of Monday night's 84-58 loss to the Cavaliers. "There is no way to justify it. It's the same as a one-point loss. You lick your wounds and move on. That game is over with."

Anthony finished with a season-high 20 points -- 18 in the second half -- and Rasheed Wallace added 18 and 10 rebounds as Portland won despite blowing a 16-point second-half lead.

"We made open shots. That's all it was," said Anthony, who made 6-of-11 field goal attempts, including 5-of-7 on 3-pointers.

"I'm going to shoot some '3s' if I get them. The key is to get quality shots."

Dale Davis added 16 points with 12 rebounds as Portland won for the 14th time in 17 games, overcoming 23 turnovers.

"We didn't think we'd have that kind of night again. You just have a bad night like last night and that's all," Portland coach Mike Dunleavy said. "We were lucky to escape this one."

Ron Mercer scored a career-high 39 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter, but couldn't prevent the Bulls from their ninth straight loss. His 3-pointer with 12 seconds left got Chicago within three but Davis tracked down a loose ball after a bad pass.

Steve Smith then made the second of two free throws with 6.2 seconds left.

Elton Brand added 29 points for the Bulls.

"It was just like the rest of the games. We just can't finish," Mercer said.

"Anthony in the second half just seemed like he made every shot," Bulls coach Tim Floyd said. "He had good looks and also made some difficult shots."

Mercer scored 11 points in a 20-8 fourth-quarter run and the Bulls tied the game at 89 on Brand's driving basket with 4:32 left.

Stacey Augmon made three free throws for Portland and Anthony hit his second key 3-pointer of the quarter and fourth of the game to make it 95-89 with 2:26 to go.

After Brand hit for the Bulls, Anthony again sank a 3-pointer.

Portland had a 68-52 lead in the third quarter but the Bulls, behind nine points from Brand, went on a 12-1 run to close to within five.

Anthony then sparked the Blazers, hitting a pair of 3-pointers and fallaway jumper, as Portland increased the lead back to 15 and led by 12 with a quarter remaining.

Smith's three-point play just before the first half buzzer gave Portland a 57-44 halftime lead and one point less than the Blazers had the entire game a night earlier.

Game notes
Scottie Pippen missed his eighth game out of the last nine with a sore right elbow. Pippen sought a second opinion in Chicago and said he will try rest to see if it responds. Coach Mike Dunleavy said Pippen may visit an elbow specialist if the condition persists to determine other course of treatment. Center Arvydas Sabonis was also sidelined with a sore back. ... Chicago's Ron Artest sat out with a hip pointer. ... Portland's 20 first-half field goals Tuesday night were one fewer than the Blazers had all game Monday night. ... After shooting 28 percent Monday night, the Blazers shot 50 percent.
ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard

Portland Clubhouse

Chicago Clubhouse

RECAPS
Boston 83
Atlanta 82

Washington 97
Charlotte 95

Orlando 116
Toronto 111

Philadelphia 114
Dallas 98

Milwaukee 105
New York 91

Minnesota 82
Phoenix 73

Seattle 91
LA Lakers 80

Portland 104
Chicago 100

San Antonio 110
Vancouver 77

Denver 105
Houston 100

Utah 100
Golden State 78

Sacramento 130
New Jersey 104

FROM
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Mike Dunleavy Official Site


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