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Webster, Aldridge lead Blazers by Jazz

Jan 6, 2008 - 7:06 AM By Kasey Postlewaite PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- Martell Webster scored a career- high 26 points and LaMarcus Aldridge chipped in 20 and eight rebounds as the Portland Trail Blazers rolled to a 103-89 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday.

It was the 16th win in 17 games for the red-hot Blazers, who got only four points from rising star Brandon Roy. The reigning Rookie of the Year was limited to nine minutes due to a bruised tailbone.

"When I was over there (on the bench), I think I might have been the biggest fan in the gym," Roy said. "What Martell did was unbelievable. I was just so happy that he was able to step up."

With Portland trailing, 59-52, in the third period, Webster scored 24 third-quarter points to ignite an impressive 19-2 surge. The third-year guard's second free throw at the 1:26 mark capped the run to forge a 71-61 advantage.

"At halftime I asked (Roy) if he was going (to play) and he said 'No,' and he told me to be aggressive," Webster said. "I told him I would. I don't want to toot my own horn because Joel (Przybilla) and LaMarcus set great screens and were getting me open. I was just using them. After the picks, it was like I saw it all in slow motion."

"I've been around a long time and I don't know if I've ever seen somebody get that open coming off the baseline," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "I mean that guy was terrific. He was red hot. We just couldn't get to him."

Webster's previous career high was 25 points against Utah on December 11.

"He must like playing the Jazz," Aldridge said. "Wow, I mean 24 in one quarter, that's pretty big time. I was calling him 'Baby Kobe' over there because he couldn't miss no shots."

Utah closed within 79-73 in the fourth after newly acquired shooter Kyle Korver scored on a layup with 9:57 left. But Portland answered with a 14-2 run to extend its lead to 93-75. Travis Outlaw scored eight of his 14 points during Portland's final run.

"You can look at us and see that we want it," Outlaw said. "That's all you can hope for as a coach and a player is to see your fellow teammate giving it all he's got and you giving it all. I mean, you have to have a great outcome."

"They were playing the game with a great deal of passion and excitement," Sloan said. "So, it was a real bears' den to be involved in. They were playing this game like it was a playoff game, the way they were going after it."

Deron Williams led the way with 23 points for Utah, which ended the Blazers' 13-game winning streak on New Year's Eve.

"I don't think we had the same energy and same intensity as we did at home," Williams said. "Martell Webster got hot in the third quarter and pretty much opened the game up from there. Then Travis Outlaw took it in the fourth."

Carlos Boozer struggled with just six points on 3-of-16 shooting as the Jazz have lost 10 of their last 11 on the road.