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Roy, Blazers look to resume winning ways

Jan 3, 2008 - 2:50 PM Portland (19-13) at Chicago (12-18) 8:00 pm EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) - The Portland Trail Blazers will look to end their three-game road trip on a positive note when they face the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.

Rising star Brandon Roy scored 24 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 17 and 11 rebounds to help the Trail Blazers bounce back with Wednesday's 90-79 victory at Minnesota.

"I'm happy with the way we responded," Roy said. "The big thing was, we've got to win this next game to show everyone we lost the streak, but we're still a good team and have a lot to play for."

Despite winning 13 of its last 14 games, Portland hasn't really been impressive away from home, going just 4-10 on the road this season - tied for second worst in the Western Conference.

While Portland remains one of the hottest teams in the league, the Bulls are starting to find their way under interim coach Jim Boylan.

Chicago improved to 3-1 since Boylan took over for the fired Scott Skiles, who was relieved of his duties on Christmas Eve, with a 109-97 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats.

"Coach Boylan does a really good job keeping the team relaxed," Bulls guard Ben Gordon said. "Guys are out there having fun. That's what basketball is all about. I think when a team goes out and plays uptight, it makes it tough. "

The 24-year-old Gordon continues to shine since coming off the bench, averaging 29.3 points since being moved to the role of sixth man. He captured Sixth Man of the Year honors as a rookie in 2004-05.

Portland has dropped five of the last six meetings against the Bulls, who took the season series last year.