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Blazers try to get back into playoff picture

Feb 23, 2007 - 3:39 PM Memphis (14-42) at Portland (24-32) 10:00 pm EST

PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- The Portland Trail Blazers are in playoff contention, and hope to better their chances against the second-worst club in the NBA.

The Trail Blazers, who are 4-2 in their last six games, host the woeful Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.

Sitting 2 1/2 games behind the Golden State Warriors for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, Portland will try to build off a 112-108 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. Jarrett Jack matched his season high with 30 points.

Jack is averaging 15.9 points in nine games in February. That is quite improvement over his 10.2 average from the month of January.

The Grizzlies (14-42), who are 1-4 in their last five contests, have the second-fewest wins in the NBA, trailing only the Boston Celtics' 13. Memphis' 3-25 road record is the worst in the league.

Memphis dropped its third straight contest at Golden State, 118-115, on Wednesday. Mike Miller scored a season-high 45 points in defeat.

Miller's total was also a franchise record, surpassing Pau Gasol's 44 points against Seattle last season.