Blazers face stiff challenge against Clippers

Published January 08, 2015

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Portland Trail Blazers have a tough road game on the docket Saturday, as they pay a visit to the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center.

Portland has won back-to-back games after losing two straight and handed the Dallas Mavericks a 108-87 beatdown on Thursday. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 20 points and pulled down seven rebounds, while Damian Lillard ended with 18 points, six assists and five boards.

C.J. McCollum and Chris Kaman scored 13 and 12 points, respectively, off the bench for Portland, which shot 51.9 percent and made only 12-of-30 3-pointers.

The Blazers had a 62-37 scoring advantage in the second half. They posted a 35-18 scoring edge in the third quarter.

"We just wanted to have a better third quarter defensively and try to move the ball around offensively," said Aldridge.

Portland will be on the road for the second time this season and lost at Sacramento on Oct. 31.

The Clippers are already 2-1 at home and will play their next four games at Staples Center versus Portland, San Antonio, Phoenix and Chicago.

Los Angeles has dropped two of three games after a 2-0 start and suffered a 121-104 loss at Golden State on Wednesday. Jamal Crawford scored 24 points off the bench, DeAndre Jordan added 17 and 13 rebounds, and Chris Paul finished with 15 points to go along with 12 assists.

Blake Griffin posted 14 points for the Clippers, who made 46.3 percent from the floor and scored 24 points off 23 Golden State turnovers.

"It's no secret that we got to get better. We're not playing the right way," said Paul, who is probable Saturday with a bruised jaw.

Clippers forward Glen Davis (groin) is also probable versus Portland.

The Blazers won two of three games against the Clippers last season. They are winless in the last five games as the guest in this series.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/blazers-face-stiff-challenge-against-clippers