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  6. article_body => "<p>The Orlando Magic got out to a slow start against the Trail Blazers Friday night. The Magic shot just 18.5 percent from the field through the first 12 minutes of action. <\/p>\n<p>With the Magic\u2019s poor shooting first quarter, the Blazers jumped out to a 31-13 lead. <\/p>\n<p>However, the second quarter was all Magic, all the time.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Portland\u2019s second unit had a tough time slowing down Orlando\u2019s bench, and had an even harder time scoring themselves. <\/p>\n<p>The Blazers then clamped down in the third quarter and cruised to their third straight victory. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/scores.nbcsports.com\/nba\/boxscore.asp?gamecode=2019122022&amp;home=22&amp;vis=19\">FINAL BOX SCORE: TRAIL BLAZERS 118, MAGIC 103&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Here are three quick takeaways from Friday\u2019s win:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1. &nbsp;Lillard doing it all<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Damian Lillard showed of his offensive versatility against the Magic -- three-pointers, floaters, finishing at the rim. Lillard\u2019s efficient night from the floor helped Portland&nbsp;take care of business.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>2. Melo goes out with knee contusion&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Trail Blazers announced as the second half came to an end that Carmelo Anthony is questionable to return with a left knee&nbsp;contusion.<\/p>\n<p>He played the first nine minutes of the game, logging five points and six rebounds. At the 8:14&nbsp;mark of the second&nbsp;quarter, Melo was seen limping after he took a three-pointer from the corner. &nbsp; <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Carmelo Anthony has a left knee contusion and is questionable to return. Melo checked out after this play and didn&#39;t return for the rest of the half. You can tell he comes up limping on the leg here. <br><br>STREAM HERE:<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/dzCfH15Shm\">https:\/\/t.co\/dzCfH15Shm<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/RipCity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#RipCity<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/KE5qUIjzIv\">pic.twitter.com\/KE5qUIjzIv<\/a><\/p>&mdash; NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBCSNorthwest\/status\/1208238843037724672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 21, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n \n<p>3.&nbsp; McCollum carries scoring load with Melo out<\/p>\n<p>The Blazers got a boost from CJ McCollum in the second half. After scoring 11 points in the first half, McCollum went on a tear after the break. McCollum was also aggressive on the glass. He tallied eight rebounds on the night. &nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Up Next:&nbsp;<\/strong>The Trail Blazers host the Minnesota Timberwolves Saturday night with Portland playing in its second leg of a back-to-back. The Blazers and T-Wolves will tip-off at 7:00pm on NBC Sports Northwest and the MyTeams App.<\/p>\n<p>Be sure to check back throughout the night and tomorrow morning for analysis, articles, and videos from the players!<\/p>\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/art19.com\/shows\/talkin-blazers-frye\/episodes\/b497e155-137e-4510-972b-34dae61b6d05\/embed\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe> \n"
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Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers

The Orlando Magic got out to a slow start against the Trail Blazers Friday night. The Magic shot just 18.5 percent from the field through the first 12 minutes of action.

With the Magic’s poor shooting first quarter, the Blazers jumped out to a 31-13 lead.

However, the second quarter was all Magic, all the time.   

Portland’s second unit had a tough time slowing down Orlando’s bench, and had an even harder time scoring themselves.

The Blazers then clamped down in the third quarter and cruised to their third straight victory.

FINAL BOX SCORE: TRAIL BLAZERS 118, MAGIC 103 

Here are three quick takeaways from Friday’s win:

1.  Lillard doing it all

Damian Lillard showed of his offensive versatility against the Magic -- three-pointers, floaters, finishing at the rim. Lillard’s efficient night from the floor helped Portland take care of business. 

2. Melo goes out with knee contusion 

The Trail Blazers announced as the second half came to an end that Carmelo Anthony is questionable to return with a left knee contusion.

He played the first nine minutes of the game, logging five points and six rebounds. At the 8:14 mark of the second quarter, Melo was seen limping after he took a three-pointer from the corner.  

3.  McCollum carries scoring load with Melo out

The Blazers got a boost from CJ McCollum in the second half. After scoring 11 points in the first half, McCollum went on a tear after the break. McCollum was also aggressive on the glass. He tallied eight rebounds on the night.  

 

Up Next: The Trail Blazers host the Minnesota Timberwolves Saturday night with Portland playing in its second leg of a back-to-back. The Blazers and T-Wolves will tip-off at 7:00pm on NBC Sports Northwest and the MyTeams App.

Be sure to check back throughout the night and tomorrow morning for analysis, articles, and videos from the players!