https://sports.yahoo.com/rockets-hunted-carmelo-anthony-thats-going-problem-thunder-205514471.html
There’s a reason Anthony ranks in just the 13th percentile in points allowed per possession when defending pick-and-roll ball-handlers, and only the 23rd percentile against roll men, according to Synergy Sports Technology’s game-tracking data. He just doesn’t have the lateral quickness anymore to consistently hold up in coverage when an opponent puts him to work in space.
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-playoffs-2018-thunder-must-bench-carmelo-anthony-in-game-6-with-their-season-on-the-line/
Thunder fans are familiar with this, having seen teams aggressively seek out Anthony in pick-and-roll situations all season long. Anthony simply should never asked to contain quick guards like Donovan Mitchell under any circumstance.
There are only two reasonable arguments for keeping Anthony in the starting lineup and playing him major minutes. You are either hoping that he will catch fire at the right time or you are worried about the politics of benching a 10-time All-Star. The former seems unlikely given that he has basically been a more shot-happy Jeff Green lately, and the latter should not matter when the season is on the line.
Among many many others.
Edit: And if you'd really like:
https://stats.nba.com/impact/advanced/#!?LineupIDs=202324&VsLineupIDs=2546&TeamID=1610612762&VsTeamID=1610612760&SeasonType=Playoffs&Season=2017-18
Utah was a +18.9 when Favors and Melo were on court.
OKC was a +5.2 when Favors was on without Melo.
No, Melo wasn't an issue at all. He was holding Favors down.


