Batum, Aldridge each score 22 in Blazers' win
Portland Trail Blazers forwardNicolas Batum looks to shoot against Toronto Raptors' DeMar DeRozan Sunday, March 14 in Portland, Ore. Batum scored 22 points to help the Blazers beat the Raptors 109-98. (Steve Benham/KATU.com) By ANNE M. PETERSON, AP Sports WriterPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Nicolas Batum scored 22 points, making five of six 3-point attempts, and the Portland Trail Blazers won their fourth straight with a 109-98 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night. LaMarcus Aldridge added 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Blazers, who have won nine of 11. Brandon Roy had 20 points. Chris Bosh had 28 points and seven rebounds for the Raptors, who have lost five straight, matching a season high. The Blazers led by as many as 15 points, but Andrea Bargnani hit a pair of free throws that pulled the Raptors within four before Sonny Weems' long jumper made it 93-91 with 6:15 left. Portland kept Toronto at bay, going up 101-93 on Roy's hook shot and a pair of free throws from Batum. Toronto's Hedo Turkoglu was close to signing with the Blazers last summer as a free agent. The 6-foot-10 forward even came to Portland and met with general manager Kevin Pritchard. But the deal abruptly fell through and Turkoglu, who helped Orlando to the NBA finals last season, agreed the next week to join the Raptors. Turkoglu was booed loudly during pregame introductions. Conversely, former Blazers guard Jarrett Jack received a warm round of applause. Turkoglu then made a 3-pointer 19 seconds into the game. Aldridge got off to a quick start for the Blazers, with 10 points in the first six minutes, capped by a jumper that pulled Portland to a 15-all tie. But it was Rudy Fernandez who helped swing the game in Portland's favor in the second quarter. Fernandez had 10 points in 12 minutes, including three 3-pointers that put the Blazers up 45-35 midway through the second quarter. He also had three assists, including a no-look, behind-the-back pass to Martell Webster, and an alley-oop to Aldridge that drew cheers from the Rose Garden crowd. The Blazers led by as many as 14 points en route to a 60-49 lead at the break. Turkoglu's 3-pointer with 1:16 left in the third quarter narrowed it to 83-76. But on the other end he fouled Fernandez, who made both shots. Bargnani closed the Raptors to 85-80 early in the fourth quarter, but the Blazers responded and went up 91-80 after Batum's 3-pointer. Bosh was playing in his fourth game after missing seven games with a sprained ankle and a stomach virus. The Blazers were coming off a 110-94 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Portland hosts the Wizards on Friday. NOTES: The Blazers have won four straight against the Raptors. Neither team had won more than three straight in series history. ... The Raptors return home from their 0-4 road trip to host Atlanta on Wednesday. ... All five of the Blazers' starters scored in double figures. Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. More Photos (Click to enlarge)
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February 9, 2012
- Roseburg, Oregon
