Lillard scores 36 as Blazers down Magic

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Damian Lillard scored 36 points and the Portland Trail Blazers extended their winning streak over the Orlando Magic to eight games with a 106-97 victory on Tuesday night.

Carmelo Anthony added a season-high 23 points, including five 3-pointers. It was Lillard's 13th game with 30-plus points this season.

Nikola Vucevic had 27 points and 15 rebounds for the short-handed Magic, who have lost six of their last seven games. Rookie Cole Anthony started but did not return for the second half because of a shoulder injury.

Carmelo Anthony hit a 3-pointer that gave the Blazers a 93-79 lead early in the fourth quarter and Portland didn't let the Magic get within single digits until the final seconds.

Evan Fournier, a late scratch on Saturday with back spasms when Orlando fell 118-92 at home to the Bulls, was unavailable again against Portland. The Magic were also without Michael Carter-Williams, who has a sprained foot, and Aaron Gordon because of a sprained left ankle.

But the Magic got some good news with the return of Al-Farouq Aminu, who played for the first time this season after rehabbing his right knee, although he was limited to just five minutes in the opening half. Aminu played for four years in Portland before signing with Orlando as a free agent in 2019.

Portland led by as many as 16 points in the opening quarter. Gary Trent Jr.'s 3-pointer put the Blazers up 45-28 midway through the second.

Orlando's 10-3 run to close out the half cut the margin to 50-43. Anthony appeared to hurt his right shoulder late in the second quarter and did not return. Frank Mason started the second half.

The Magic pulled to 70-63 on Terrence Ross' floater. The Blazers answered with an 8-0 run to pull away and led 84-73 going into the final period.

TIP INS

Magic: The game kicked off a four-game road trip for the Magic. ... The last Orlando win in Portland was in January 2017. ... The team said Anthony had a right shoulder strain. Additional details weren't available. Anthony was averaging 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists going into the game.

Trail Blazers: Portland was without Nassir Little because of a left knee sprain. ... Portland swept both games against the Magic last season. ... The Blazers were at home after a six-game road trip, which they finished 3-3. ... Trent led all players with 15 first-half points.

UP NEXT

Magic: Visit Golden State on Thursday.

Trail Blazers: Host the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, the same time that the forecast calls for snow in the Portland area.