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Reeling Blazers entertain woeful Clips

Dec 5, 2010 - 3:51 PM (Sports Network) - The reeling Portland Trail Blazers hope a return to the Rose Garden against a Los Angeles Clippers team still searching for its first road victory will get them back on the winning track.

The Blazers, who are opening up a three-game homestand tonight, just finished a disastrous 0-4 eastern road trip, culminated by a 83-79 loss to the Washington Wizards on Friday. Andray Blatche scored 10 of his 19 points in the final quarter and pulled down nine rebounds in that one, helping the Wizards send Portland to its sixth consecutive defeat overall.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 16 points and 15 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who are on their longest skid since dropping their final eight contests of the 2005-06 season. Brandon Roy had a team-best 18 points in defeat.

"I wouldn't say we're not responding," Aldridge said. "I would just say we're trying to figure it out. I don't know any guy here who wants to lose this way, or this minute."

Portland center Joel Przybilla played nearly 20 minutes in his first game since rupturing his right patella in a game nearly a year ago. He had four points and seven rebounds.

The Blazers, who are 4-3 in the Rose City, will also face Phoenix and Orlando on their residency.

The Clippers, meanwhile, lost for the third time in four games on Friday in Denver when Carmelo Anthony finished a game for the first time in a week, scoring 26 points as the Nuggets earned a 109-104 victory over LA.

Eric Gordon had 24 points to lead the Clippers, who had a letdown after beating NBA-leading San Antonio on Wednesday. Rookie star Blake Griffin registered his seventh consecutive double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

The Clippers took just 29 foul shots in the game compared to 59 for the Nuggets, the NBA's highest total this season, as LA fell to a miserable 0-9 as the visitor on the year.

"That says it all right there. Can't say anything else," said Griffin.

Portland has traditionally dominated the Clips in the Pacific Northwest, compiling a gaudy 50-8 home record against them since the team moved to LA from San Diego before the 1984-85 season.