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Blazers open rough stretch against Spurs

Dec 19, 2014 - 2:54 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The San Antonio Spurs will try to put a disappointing loss behind them Friday night when they face the Portland Trail Blazers at AT&T Center.

On Wednesday, the Spurs dropped a heartbreaker at home to the Memphis Grizzlies, 117-116 in three overtimes.

"It was great all around. There were some good shots made and some big shots missed," said Tim Duncan. "We put ourselves in a tough position to start the game because we were down so much. It was just the little things. We really fought back into it though and gave it all we had, but we came up short."

The Grizzlies marched out to a 34-19 lead in the first quarter. San Antonio made a lot of uncharacteristic mistakes throughout the contest, then couldn't stop Zach Randolph, who had all six of Memphis' points in the third extra session.

Danny Green went 7-of-13 from beyond the arc and finished with 25 points and seven boards for the Spurs, who have lost two in a row. Duncan had 23 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks.

Manu Ginobili had 21 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

San Antonio was without Kawhi Leonard (hand) and Tony Parker (hamstring). Both are listed as out for Friday's contest as the Spurs try to avenge the first loss during this skid.

On Monday, the Blazers bested the Spurs, 108-95, at the Moda Center.

Portland has won three in a row, but begins a brutal road slate Friday that will have the Blazers visit the New Orleans Pelicans, Houston Rockets and surging Oklahoma City Thunder.

On Wednesday, the Trail Blazers secured one more victory before hitting the road thanks to a 104-97 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

LaMarcus Aldridge tallied 23 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Blazers.

Thomas Robinson, who is starting in place of the injured Robin Lopez, matched a career-high with 15 points and pulled down 16 boards for the Trail Blazers, who enjoyed a 52-32 edge on the glass on their way to victory.

"That's him. We see him do that every day in practice, bring that energy," said Portland guard Damian Lillard. "He was the biggest difference."

Lillard led all scorers with 29 points and added seven assists for Portland. Wesley Matthews chipped in 11.

The Blazers have won four of their last five against the Spurs in the regular season. San Antonio dispatched Portland in five games in the second round of last season's playoffs en route to a fifth NBA title.

Including the postseason, the Spurs have won four straight as the host in this series, but Portland is 2-1 in its last three stops in Alamo City during the regular season.