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Undermanned Blazers, Sonics face off

Apr 14, 2007 - 3:27 PM Seattle (31-48) at Portland (31-48) 10:00 pm EDT

PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- The Seattle SuperSonics and the Portland Trail Blazers are in the same boat.

With both teams missing their leading scorer and out of the playoff race, the Trail Blazers look to snap a four-game losing streak when they take on the struggling SuperSonics on Saturday.

Seattle is missing All-Star sharpshooter Ray Allen and Portland is without leading scorer and rebounder Zach Randolph. Both shorthanded squads own 31-48 records and are tied for last place in the Northwest Division.

Allen, who was averaging 26.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists, had been bothered by bone spurs in both his ankles throughout the season and finally opted for surgery last Saturday. Randolph, who had season-ending hand surgery, averaged 23.6 points and 10.1 rebounds.

The Blazers continued to struggle on Friday, suffering a 107-89 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Rookie Brandon Roy scored 18 points and Travis Outlaw added 14.

They will look to snap their skid against Seattle, which has lost six of its last seven games. The Sonics were routed, 109-91, by Phoenix on Wednesday. Rashard Lewis scored 30 points and Mike Wilks added a career-high 20.

Seattle has won two of the three meetings this season.