The Wolves’ three-game road winning streak — yes, you read that right
— ended with a third-quarter blitz propagated by two Trail Blazers
players selected five picks apart in the 2006 draft.
Aldridge, the former University of Texas forward taken second overall
that summer, and Roy, the former University of Washington guard picked
sixth by the Wolves and then dealt to Portland, combined to score 51
points and shoot 55 percent from the field Saturday.
Wolves record: 15-50
The Blazers also completed a four-game sweep of the
Timberwolves (15-50), marking the first sweep of Minnesota
since the 1998-1999 season. It was also the first time the
Blazers had gone 4-0 against a team since the 2002-2003
season, when they swept Golden State and Seattle.
Timberwolves (15-50), marking the first sweep of Minnesota
since the 1998-1999 season. It was also the first time the
Blazers had gone 4-0 against a team since the 2002-2003
season, when they swept Golden State and Seattle.
It wasn’t until the third quarter — when the
Blazers’ defense finally started slowing the Timberwolves’ drives —
that Portland was able to seize control of the game, storming back from
a five-point deficit with an 18-4 run that pushed Portland’s lead to
74-65 with 4:46 remaining in the third quarter.
Blazers’ defense finally started slowing the Timberwolves’ drives —
that Portland was able to seize control of the game, storming back from
a five-point deficit with an 18-4 run that pushed Portland’s lead to
74-65 with 4:46 remaining in the third quarter.
Minnesota was 2 of 7 from the field in that
stretch, while Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge combined for 14 of the
Blazers’ points during the run.
stretch, while Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge combined for 14 of the
Blazers’ points during the run.
Minnesota never got closer than six points after that run, though, and trailed by double digits for most of the fourth quarter.
From the AP Sports recap:
Marko Jaric scored 19, Al Jefferson had 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Ryan Gomes had 16 points for the Timberwolves, who are last in the Western Conference but had won three of four entering the game.
Corey Brewer had 12 points and seven rebounds, and Randy Foye, traded for Roy in a 2006 draft day deal, had nine points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Timberwolves.