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Blazers shift focus to Wizards in Rip City

Mar 22, 2011 - 2:54 PM (Sports Network) - A possible trap game could be in store for the playoff- hopeful Portland Trail Blazers tonight, when they entertain the Washington Wizards from the Rose Garden.

Portland is set to host the NBA-best San Antonio Spurs in Rip City on Friday night, but must take care of business this evening with a road-weary Wizards club set to invade the Pacific Northwest. The Blazers are clinging to the sixth seed in the Western Conference -- just a half-game ahead of New Orleans and 1 1/2 games in front of eighth-seeded Memphis.

The Blazers look to bounce back into the win column following an 84-80 loss to the two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at Staples Center, as Nicolas Batum led the way with a season-best 25 points and LaMarcus Aldridge finished with 18 in Portland's third loss in 10 tries.

"I think it was mostly us," said Portland head coach Nate McMillan. "Once again, we have control of this game and we don't execute down the stretch."

McMillan's squad has won four in a row at home and is 24-10 as the host. In injury news for the Trail Blazers, veteran center and rebound machine Marcus Camby is questionable for tonight with a sprained right ankle.

Aldridge is averaging 24.9 points and 9.3 rebounds since Dec. 15.

Washington has struggled mightily on the road this season as evidenced by its 1-31 ledger outside of the nation's capital. It has lost six in a row as the visitor and will begin a five-game road trip out west tonight against the Blazers, Clippers, Nuggets, Warriors and Jazz.

The Wizards stopped a six-game losing streak with a 98-92 win versus the New Jersey Nets in DC on Sunday. Rookie of the Year candidate John Wall posted 26 points, eight assists and six rebounds in Washington's second win in 15 tries.

"Good to get a win," Wall said. "You don't want to lose another game at home and then go on the road and have a tough five-game road trip. Hopefully this can give us some motivation going into Portland."

Jordan Crawford and JaVale McGee contributed 21 and 16 points, respectively, for the Wizards. Maurice Evans scored 15 points off the bench in the win.

Wall is averaging 18.7 points, 8.0 assists and 5.9 rebounds in 14 games since the All-Star break while Crawford is registering 20.5 ppg in his previous six. Wizards leading scorer Nick Young has missed three straight games with a bruised left knee and is doubtful for Tuesday's game. He is averaging a career-high 17.7 ppg this season.

Washington defeated Portland, 83-79, back on Dec. 3 this season at the Verizon Center behind 19 points from Andray Blatche. The Wizards and Blazers have split the previous 16 matchups in this series, but Washington is winless in its last five contests in the Rose City.