• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Blazers target postseason spot in bout with Warriors

Apr 5, 2011 - 3:06 PM (Sports Network) - The Portland Trail Blazers aim to clinch their third consecutive postseason berth tonight when they entertain the Golden State Warriors in Rip City.

The Blazers, who are also shooting for a season-high ninth straight home win tonight, are one game ahead of both New Orleans and Memphis for sixth place in the Western Conference playoff race and can clinch a postseason spot with a win tonight or a Houston loss to Sacramento.

Portland moved to the precipice of the playoffs Sunday when Gerald Wallace scored 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting and LaMarcus Aldridge netted 18, as the Trail Blazers upended the Dallas Mavericks, 104-96, in a potential Western Conference playoff preview.

The Blazers connected on 53 percent of their shots from the field to win going away against Dallas, which is third in conference standings.

Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum were two of six Blazers to finish in double figures, donating 16 and 15 points, respectively, in the club's fifth win in seven games overall.

"We had some pretty good ball movement and we made good decisions with our matchups when we had them," said Blazers head coach Nate McMillan.

The Warriors, meanwhile, have lost eight straight away from Oakland, but also beat Dallas in their last encounter, a 99-92 triumph on Saturday. Monta Ellis had 32 points as Golden State snapped a six-game skid to the Mavs in that one.

David Lee contributed 16 points, while Dorell Wright scored 13 for the Warriors, who gained their third straight home victory.

"I thought our fans, once again, gave us the juice and the energy to play. They came out and supported us big time, as always, and that's the first step," said Golden State head coach Keith Smart. "You gotta win at home first."

The Warriors, who are just 9-30 as the visitor this season, have won two of their last three meetings with the Blazers but already fell in Portland, 96-95, back on Dec. 18.