San Antonio will be searching for its first road win of the
young season Friday when they visit the Rose Garden to take on a Portland
Trail Blazers team that has been uncharacteristically pedestrian on their home
floor.
The Blazers were an impressive 34-7 as the host last season but have dropped
two straight at the Rose Garden, including a 97-91 setback to Atlanta on
Tuesday. The Hawks' Jamal Crawford scored 27 points off the bench in that one
and doled out seven assists to lead the way.
LaMarcus Aldridge totaled game-bests of 20 points and 14 boards for the
Blazers, who fell to 2-3 on the year overall. Brandon Roy ended with 19 points
and six helpers, and Travis Outlaw scored 19 points.
"It's tough but it's still early," said Aldridge. "We still can learn from
things like this, watch film, and try to come back stronger."
The Spurs, meanwhile, fell to 0-2 as the visitor this year in Salt Lake City
on Thursday when Deron Williams filled the stat sheet with 27 points, nine
assists and seven rebounds, boosting the Utah Jazz to a 113-99 win over San
Antonio.
Tim Duncan had 15 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks for the Spurs, who were
coming off a 19-point home win over Sacramento in the Alamo City.
Tony Parker led the way with 21 points for the Spurs, while Richard Jefferson
and rookie DeJuan Blair each scored 14. Blair also had nine rebounds.
The Blazers had lost five straight in Portland and 12 overall to the Spurs
until a 100-99 triumph on Halloween last year. The Blazers went on from there
to take three of four from San Antonio last year.
Meanwhile, Portland hasn't lost three straight in the Rose Garden since March
29-April 6 of last season.
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