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Aldridge, Trail Blazers edge shorthanded Hawks

Oct 14, 2007 - 8:33 PM By Phil Foley PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

ATLANTA (Ticker) - LaMarcus Aldridge gave the Portland Trail Blazers a glimpse of why he was worthy of the second pick in the 2006 draft.

Aldridge scored 29 points and Channing Frye added 14 off the bench to lead the Trail Blazers to a 102-89 win over the Atlanta Hawks in a preseason game on Sunday.

The Chicago Bulls nabbed Aldridge with their first-round pick in last year's draft before he was shipped to Portland in exchange for two draft selections. The 22-year-old Aldridge had a decent rookie campaign - averaging 9.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in 63 contests.

The former Texas standout has been even better this preseason, averaging 15.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in the club's first two exhibition contests.

Aldridge kept the Blazers in the game, scoring 13 of Portland's 22 third-quarter points before his club exploded with an 11-2 run to start the fourth quarter.

Center Joel Przybilla ignited the run with a bucket 32 seconds into the final quarter to give the Blazers a 75-70 edge - as Atlanta's offense fell silent. Former Georgia Tech standout Jarrett Jack had four points in the run, including a bucket with 8:37 remaining to give Portland an 84-72 lead.

Marvin Williams scored 18 points and rookie Al Horford had 14 and 11 rebounds for the Hawks, who lost for the first time in the preseason.

The Hawks came into training camp deep at point guard with four NBA-tested players and first-round pick Acie Law IV. But they dressed just one on Sunday - 10-year veteran Anthony Johnson.

Starting point guard Speedy Claxton was rested for the second straight game, Tyronn Lue has yet to appear this preseason due to a sore right knee and Salim Stoudamire is nursing a hamstring injury.

Law, who had 10 points, six rebounds and six assists in his first career preseason start on Thursday, injured his wrist in that one and will have an MRI on Monday.

Atlanta also played without swingman Josh Childress (bruised forearm) and center Lorenzen Wright (groin).

Portland was without swingman James Jones (left ankle), second-round pick Josh McRoberts (left ankle), seven-year veteran Darius Miles (right knee) and rookie Greg Oden (right knee). Oden, the first pick in this year's draft is out for the year after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee.