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Webster, Aldridge carry Blazers past Clippers

Oct 11, 2007 - 4:58 AM PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- Martell Webster scored 28 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 21 as the Portland Trail Blazers claimed a 111-102 victory in their preseason opener over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Portland jumped out to an early 16-6 lead behind the strong play of Aldridge, who is expected to take on more of a scoring role with the departure of Zach Randolph to New York and the loss of No. 1 pick Greg Oden to season-ending knee surgery.

Aldridge and rookie Taurean Green led an up-tempo attack, and a layup at the buzzer by Steve Blake gave the Blazers a 58-56 lead at intermission.

Blake returns to Portland after a one-year hiatus after spending time with Milwaukee and Denver.

Webster scored nine points while newcomer Channing Frye added six in the third to help the Blazers nab a 83-75 lead heading into the final period. Webster is in a heated battled for the starting small forward role.

Crafty veteran Sam Cassell scored 21 points and first-round pick Al Thornton collected 18 and 10 rebounds for the Clippers, who fell to 0-2 in preseason play.

Tim Thomas and Dan Dickau tried to keep the young Blazers at bay in the second quarter, combining for 18 second-quarter points. Thomas' three pointer at the 6:19 mark gave the Clippers 45-38 cushion before Portland ended the half with a 20-11 run.