NEW ORLEANS -- It didn't take long for the Portland Trail Blazers to get Carmelo Anthony involved in the offense.
And though he ended up with just 10 points in Tuesday's 115-104 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, it is abundantly clear that Portland's objective is clear: Get the ball to Melo ... early and often.
In Portland's very first possession, Anthony, who received a warm welcome from the Smoothie King Center crowd, tried to post up Pelicans forward Kenrich Williams. But the pass was late and Williams stepped in front for a steal.