(Sports Network) - The Portland Trail Blazers have competed in every game
during their season-high five-game losing streak and hope to catch a break
Monday versus the Washington Wizards at the Rose Garden.
The Blazers have lost by no more than six points during the slide, which
continued with Saturday's 110-104 setback to the Milwaukee Bucks in the second
test of a five-game homestand. The Blazers almost erased a 22-point deficit,
pulling within four points late in the game, but Milwaukee was able to pull
away for the win.
Portland rookie Damian Lillard had 26 points and 10 assists, LaMarcus Aldridge
registered 20 points and 14 rebounds and Wesley Matthews netted 21 points for
the Trail Blazers, who fell to 13-7 at home and made only 8-of-28 3-pointers.
J.J. Hickson posted a double-double -- his 23rd of the season -- in defeat
with 15 points and 12 boards.
"The game got away from us again in the first quarter. That was a bad stretch
for us. But the second quarter wasn't much better," Portland coach Terry
Stotts said.
Stotts' club has played nine games in a row decided by six points or less, and
is 8-4 this season in games decided by five points. Meanwhile, Lillard leads
all rookies in scoring (18.3), field goals, free throws, assists and minutes.
Blazers rookie center Meyers Leonard (ankle) is questionable versus Washington
and hasn't played since Dec. 29 versus Philadelphia.
Portland is 13-7 at home this season and will also entertain Indiana and the
Los Angeles Clippers on the residency.
The Wizards look to get back on track and will resume a five-game western trek
Monday night. They are 1-2 on the road swing since winning a season-best three
straight games and suffered a 94-87 loss to the Clippers the last time out on
Saturday at Staples Center.
John Wall led all scorers with 24 points off of the bench for the Wizards,
while rookie Bradley Beal scored 13 points in defeat. Nene recorded 12 points
and seven rebounds for Washington.
"Everyone is starting to come together as a team, but the turnovers and
offensive rebounds killed us tonight," Wizards forward Trevor Booker said.
The Clippers scored 19 points off 18 Washington turnovers and had a 58-43
advantage on the boards.
Washington fell to 2-17 on the road and will close out the excursion Wednesday
against the Utah Jazz. Beal, the Eastern Conference rookie of the month for
December, is averaging 19.5 points, 3.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds in his last
six games for a Wizards team posting 101.2 ppg in the last six.
The Wizards have the upper hand on Portland in the season series with an 84-82
triumph back on Nov. 28 in the nation's capital. Washington has won three of
the last five matchups with the Blazers.
The Sports Network