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Trail Blazers sink Warriors for fifth in row

Dec 13, 2007 - 7:16 AM PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- The suddenly upstart Portland Trail Blazers cooled off the Golden State Warriors.

Travis Outlaw scored 22 points to lead a balanced attack as the Trail Blazers posted their fifth consecutive win with a 105-95 victory over the Warriors on Wednesday night.

James Jones scored a season-high 21 points, Brandon Roy also had 21 and Joel Przybilla added a double-double with a season-high 15 points and 10 rebounds for shorthanded Portland.

"Were playing with a lot of confidence as a team," said Roy, who also collected seven assists, five rebounds with no turnovers. "Travis is on a role right now. He's coming ready to play every night for us. We're also getting it from Joel and James which is key because we are playing a little short-handed.

"So it's nice to have those guys as our veterans stepping up with some others guys not being able to go."

Despite missing leading scorer LaMarcus Aldridge and Martell Webster, who left Wednesday's game early with flu-like symptoms, the Trail Blazers handed the Warriors just their fourth loss in their last 16 games by scoring 56 bench points.

"I think we are all stepping it up with LaMarcus going down," Przybilla said. "Coaches are coming up with a good game plan and we are not backing down from no one. We are playing a full 48 minutes, that's all."

Baron Davis scored 23 points for the Warriors, who couldn't keep up with hot-shooting Portland in the second half.

"You got to give them credit, they are playing well together right now," Davis said. "Brandon Roy got going. Outlaw and Jones hit some big shots and Przybilla got some good inside play. That's what you have to do at home is weather that storm when teams come in and make a push and that's what they were able to do."

Trailing by as many as 14 points in the first half, Golden State closed within 54-49 at halftime. A 13-7 run to start the third period gave the Warriors their first lead since the first quarter.

Portland answered behind second-year stud Roy, who scored seven points in a 14-2 surge that was capped by Jones' 20-foot jumper to give the Trail Blazers a 79-69 lead.

"My job is a little easier than the other guys out there," said Jones, who shot 4-of-6 from distance. "Those guys are out there slashing, cutting to the basket, penetrating. I'm just out there standing, catching and shooting the open shot. Spacing the defense. We are all playing our part. Everybody is a different piece but the pieces are fitting nicely right now."

The reigning Western Conference Player of the Week, Roy scored 11 in the period as the Blazers took an 85-77 lead heading into the fourth period. Portland shot a blistering 11-of-14 in the third.

"What your seeing is a sign of growth," Blazers coach Nate McMillan said. "We are learning how to play with each other. Guys are falling out of the lineup. When teams are making their runs, we aren't in panic mode. We are able to have some resolve. What you are seeing is growth."

The teams were tied at 22-22 after the first quarter. Davis scored 10 of the Warriors' first 16 points while Przybilla scored Portland's first seven points.

The Blazers started the second quarter with a 22-8 run and took their biggest lead at 42-28 on a free throw by Jones at the 6:49 mark.

Reserves Jones and Outlaw were the catalysts, scoring five points apiece during the spurt and combining for 22 points in the period. Two 3-pointers by Golden State in the final minute closed the gap to 54-49 at half.

Warriors guard Stephen Jackson scored nine points on 3-of-15 shooting before fouling out midway through the fourth quarter.

"I know I didn't shoot the ball well tonight but I'm still trying to figure out what's considered a foul and what's not," said Jackson, who also picked up a technical in the third quarter. "I got to read the players' manual. I'm confused right now."

Portland played its second straight game without Aldridge (plantar fasciitis). The Warriors were without guard Monta Ellis, who strained his left calf in Tuesday's victory over San Antonio.

"We were beaten by a better team tonight," Warriors coach Don Nelson said. "Look at their bench and look at what they did to us. We couldn't guard their bench."