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Blazers go for 16th straight win over Wolves

Feb 14, 2011 - 3:46 PM (Sports Network) - A pair of Northwest Division rivals clash tonight in the Twin Cities, where the Portland Trail Blazers look to continue their dominance over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Portland has won the first three meetings of the season with Minnesota and 15 straight overall. The Blazers, who own a 19-2 mark in the past 21 matchups between the teams, are unbeaten in seven straight trips to the Target Center. The Timberwolves haven't tasted victory over Portland since a 94-93 triumph on March 25, 2007 in Minneapolis.

The Blazers have won four in a row overall and hope to close out a three-game road trip on a perfect note. In Sunday's 105-100 win at Detroit, LaMarcus Aldridge scored 36 points and Wesley Matthews recorded 26 points and seven rebounds for Portland, which got 15 points and 12 assists from Andre Miller.

"It was a gut check for us and it was a big win that we needed, to a talented team," Matthews said. "You can't play records or anything like that and to get any win on the road is going to be tough. You can't get sick of winning and the great teams don't get tired of winning"

Aldridge became the first Trail Blazer ever to score 36 points in three straight games and is averaging 26.2 points on 53.1 percent shooting and 10.0 rebounds over the last 29 games. He has scored 36 or more points in four of the previous seven contests for Portland, which is 12-17 as the guest and is averaging 100.4 points per game in February.

After tonight's game, the Blazers will return to the Rose City for a five-game residency versus the Hornets, Lakers, Nuggets, Hawks and Rockets.

Minnesota will continue a three-game homestand Monday and has lost three in a row as the host. It suffered a 107-87 setback to Philadelphia on Saturday in the opener of the stand, as Kevin Love posted his franchise-record 40th consecutive double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Corey Brewer scored 15 points and Luke Ridnour netted 13 off the bench for Minnesota, which is 9-17 at home and lost for the 16th time in 20 overall tries.

"It wasn't the greatest offensive effort," said Love, whose double-double streak is the longest since Moses Malone of the 76ers did it 44 straight times in the 1982-83 season. "(You figure) they're going to come out pretty tired, but they came out and played well. That was frustrating."

The Wolves will also host the LA Clippers on the homestand. In injury news, forward Michael Beasley has missed the past three games with a sprained left ankle is doubtful for tonight. Center Darko Milicic (hip) has also missed three games in a row and is doubtful versus Portland.