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Blazers look for split to end six-game homestand

Feb 6, 2008 - 3:09 PM Chicago (19-28) at Portland (27-20) 10:00 pm EST

PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) - If the Portland Trail Blazers were hoping that the Rose Garden would reverse the effects of a mediocre road trip, their wishes were not granted.

The Blazers look to salvage a split as they close their six-game homestand against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.

Portland concluded a seven-game, 10-day road trip on January 23 with a 3-4 record after winning 17 of its previous 18 games. However, the Blazers have gone just 2-3 since returning home on January 25 after they had won 12 straight in the Rose Garden.

In its latest home setback, Portland lost to the Denver Nuggets, 105-103, in overtime on Monday. All-Star selection Brandon Roy followed up his first career triple-double in Friday's win over the New York Knicks with 26 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in the loss.

The Blazers have lost five of its last seven against the Bulls, who snapped a two-game losing streak with Monday's 118-108 win over the Seattle SuperSonics. Joe Smith came back strong with 25 points and 10 boards after being slowed by a sore knee and the flu over the last two weeks.

They may need a similar contribution from Smith if Kirk Hinrich is unable to play with a rib injury suffered on Monday. The veteran point guard stayed behind in Seattle to have tests run at a local hospital.

If he does play, he would join the Bulls' second-leading scorer, Luol Deng, on the sidelines. Deng is expected to miss another week with an sore left Achilles' tendon.