Blazers open NBA preseason with win over Kings

PORTLAND — Carmelo Anthony had 21 points in 23 minutes as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Sacramento Kings 127-102 in the NBA preseason opener on Friday night at the Moda Center.

The Blazers had little time to prepare as they had to close their practice facility earlier in the week over coronavirus concerns.

Harry Giles had 18 points and 14 rebounds against his former team. CJ McCollum and Gary Trent Jr. also scored 18 apiece for the Blazers, while Damian Lillard scored 15 and Derrick Jones Jr. had 15 on 6-of-7 shooting in his Portland debut.

Buddy Hield had 23 points and Harrison Barnes scored 16 for the Kings, who gave up 35 points in the first nine minutes. De’Aaron Fox scored 10.

The same two teams are scheduled to play again on Sunday in Portland.

Trail Blazers 127, Kings 102

SACRAMENTO (0-1)

Barnes 5-8 4-4 16, Holmes 3-6 2-2 8, Bjelica 1-4 0-0 2, Fox 3-12 3-6 10, Hield 8-17 2-2 23, James 0-3 3-4 3, Jeffries 0-5 0-0 0, Parker 1-4 0-0 3, Robinson III 3-9 2-3 9, Woodard II 0-2 0-0 0, Kaminsky 2-5 0-0 6, Metu 2-5 0-0 4, Guy 0-3 0-0 0, Haliburton 2-4 0-0 5, Joseph 3-4 0-1 8, Ramsey 2-4 0-0 5. Totals 35-95 16-22 102.

PORTLAND (1-0)

Covington 3-6 0-2 9, Jones Jr. 6-6 1-2 15, Kanter 1-5 2-2 4, Lillard 4-7 4-4 15, McCollum 7-16 2-3 18, Anthony 8-13 2-2 21, Blevins 1-2 0-0 2, Trent Jr. 6-13 3-3 18, Giles III 8-13 2-4 18, Elleby 2-8 0-0 4, Simons 1-3 0-0 3. Totals 47-92 16-22 127.

Sacramento	36	26	19	21	—	102
Portland	41	31	24	31	—	127

3-Point Goals—Sacramento 16-50 (Hield 5-11, Joseph 2-3, Kaminsky 2-3, Barnes 2-5, Haliburton 1-2, Parker 1-3, Ramsey 1-3, Robinson III 1-3, Fox 1-7, James 0-2, Jeffries 0-2, Bjelica 0-3), Portland 17-34 (Anthony 3-3, Covington 3-4, Trent Jr. 3-5, Lillard 3-6, Jones Jr. 2-2, McCollum 2-5, Simons 1-3, Elleby 0-4). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Sacramento 44 (Bjelica 7), Portland 55 (Giles III 14). Assists—Sacramento 24 (Fox 6), Portland 22 (Lillard, McCollum 5). Total Fouls—Sacramento 24, Portland 21.

Trail Blazers 127, Kings 102

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