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Spurs continue to chase Suns for second seed in West

Apr 9, 2007 - 2:43 PM Portland (31-45) at San Antonio (55-21) 8:00 pm EDT

SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- The San Antonio Spurs continue their chase of the Phoenix Suns for the second seed in the Western Conference.

Winners of 20 of 23 games since the All-Star break, the Spurs (55-21) trail the Suns (58-19) by 2 1/2 games for the second seed.

The Spurs aim to beat the Portland Trail Blazers for the ninth consecutive time when they meet on Monday in the AT&T Center.

San Antonio has already clinched its 10th straight playoff berth and secured at least the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.

The Spurs have won nine of their last 10 games, including a 112-99 victory over Golden State on Saturday. Tim Duncan collected 28 points, 15 rebounds and four blocked shots.

San Antonio has won seven straight at home and has not dropped a home game to the Trail Blazers since November 9, 2002. During that stretch, the Blazers are only averaging 80 points against the NBA's best scoring defense.

Portland, already missing leading scorer Zach Randolph and rookie LaMarcus Aldridge, was also without rookie sensation Brandon Roy because of a sore right knee in its 86-74 loss to Dallas on Saturday.

Roy, who is expected back on Monday, is averaging over 25 points in his last three games.

The Blazers, who have been eliminated from playoff contention, have dropped eight of their last 12 contests on the road.