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Roy shines again as Blazers win 12th straight

Dec 29, 2007 - 7:05 AM PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- Brandon Roy is showing the Minnesota Timberwolves which team got the better of the 2006 draft-day deal.

Roy had 15 of his 22 points in the second half as the Portland Trail Blazers matched their longest winning streak since 2002 with a 109-98 victory over the tumbling Timberwolves in front of another sellout crowd on Friday night.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 21 points and eight rebounds and Channing Frye led a potent bench attack with 13 and seven for Portland, which has won 12 straight games for the first time since February 18-March 8, 2002. The club record is 16 straight in 1990-91.

"It says a lot right now but I think that we are playing for something more," Roy said. "Winning is great but I still here people saying that were not a playoff team and we think that's fine. I think we are learning that we got a pretty good team and we've beaten some good teams to say that."

Roy, who was the sixth overall pick by Minnesota in the 2006 draft, was traded to Portland for Randy Foye and cash considerations on draft day. Foye has yet to play this season because of a left knee injury.

"It crossed my mind last year a lot," Roy said. "Especially with Randy Foye playing. This year, nah, I'm a Blazer. Maybe they think about it a little bit. But they traded me. I'm just here to do my best for the Trail Blazers."

Roy, who is averaging 22 points and seven assists during the streak, scored the first six points - three on a post-up three-point play in the lane - of the fourth quarter to provide Portland an 85-69 lead.

Frye then converted a three-point play before Antoine Walker stopped the bleeding for Minnesota, draining a 3-pointer. Portland led by as many as 19 points in the fourth and Minnesota did not get it under double-digits until things were already decided.

"I thought Channing was the difference tonight in the third quarter and later he made big plays," Blazers coach Nate McMillan said. "He gave us a lift on the boards. Our approach tonight was to attack the boards."

"Offensive rebounds (14) was a big key for them and they were all hitting shots tonight," Wolves forward Ryan Gomes said. "Brandon Roy went on a little show to start the fourth quarter and then they all starting hitting."

Roy shot 7-of-12 from the floor and added six rebounds and six assists. Frye grabbed five offensive rebounds while Jarrett Jack and James Jones contributed two 3-pointers and 26 combined points off the bench.

Portland had six players in double figures and 28 assists.

"That's just team basketball," McMillan said. "When you have 28 assists, we're spreading the ball. And we have guys that can make shots. As long as they keep playing unselfish basketball, it's going to be tough to defend."

Al Jefferson scored 22 points and Rashad McCants added 21 for the Timberwolves, who have dropped three straight and is 4-of-24 on the season.

"Bottom line is we didn't win the game," Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman said. "We have to grow as a team. We give ourselves opportunities to win. We have to understand what we're not doing that's causing this."

Behind four 3-pointers by Steve Blake, Portland took a 55-46 lead at the half and maintained the nine-point edge after three quarters. A jumper from the right corner by Travis Outlaw and a fast-break layup by Jack closed the third quarter for Portland.