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Trail Blazers blitz Bobcats

Jan 29, 2009 - 6:16 AM By Daniel Cochran PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- After a double-overtime victory against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Charlotte Bobcats could have used an extra day of rest. The Portland Trail Blazers were more than happy to play the unsympathetic host on Wednesday.

The Trail Blazers pounded the Bobcats, 88-74, on the strength of big games from LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy, who shot a combined 19-of-30.

Aldridge scored 25 points and Roy added another 17, leading the Blazers to their eighth victory in the past 11 games.

"I just tried to take my time," Aldridge said. "We knew they had gone to two overtimes last night so we tried to come out strong."

Charlotte began the game aggressively, putting a double-team on Roy while also using a trap. Portland adjusted by switching to a running offense, and quickly threw the Bobcats out of rhythm.

"We knew they trap after dead ball and free-throw situations," Portland coach Nate McMillan said. "You just have to be aware of that."

At the end of the first half, the Blazers had a 56-40 lead.

The Bobcats were without their leading scorer, Gerald Wallace, who suffered a partially collapsed lung and rib fracture during Charlotte's loss to the Lakers. Emeka Okafor tried to pick up the slack, collecting 18 points and five rebounds.

Still, the Bobcats were clearly missing the presence of Wallace, as the Blazers outrebounded Charlotte, 45-26.

Portland controlled the game early, building a 32-18 lead following a buzzer-beater lay-in from Jerryd Bayless to end the first quarter. Bayless netted 11 points, scoring in double digits for just the fourth time all season.

"We just played real well real early, and they just played better. In that one stretch, they got control of the game," Bobcats coach Larry Brown said.

In the fourth quarter, Sergio Rodriguez connected with Rudy Fernandez for a crowd-pleasing alley-oop, solidifying Portland's rout.

When asked if Rodriguez would assist Fernandez at the slam-dunk contest during All-Star weekend, Fernandez replied, "Ask him."

Rodriguez went without a field goal but had seven assists. Fernandez did not score until a 3-point shot in the fourth quarter, giving him 23 straight games with a shot from beyond the arc.

Rookie Greg Oden recorded his 14th double-double of the season, collecting 14 points and 14 rebounds. Oden has scored in double digits in his past five games.

"Greg Oden is starting to get comfortable in the post," McMillan said. "He's playing smarter, he's making good decisions. He's been able establish that low-post presence we have needed."