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Blazers aim to rebound vs. lowly Timberwolves

Mar 11, 2008 - 12:14 PM Portland (33-31) at Minnesota (14-48) 8:00 pm EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) - The Portland Trail Blazers' postseason hopes took a hit the last time out, but the team will look to right the ship Tuesday.

The Trail Blazers resume their road swing against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are looking to extend a modest two-game winning streak.

Portland suffered its first loss on this five-game road trip Monday when superstar LeBron James torched them for his 19th career triple-double in an 88-80 loss at Cleveland.

"We tried to do some things to take the ball out of LeBron's hands, but he did a good job getting it to his teammates and they made plays," Blazers guard Brandon Roy. "When they play well off him, they're a tough team to stop down the stretch."

The loss put the Blazers seven games behind Golden State (39-23) for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference with 18 games remaining.

But Portland should have an easier time with Minnesota, which has dropped both meetings in the series - including an 11-point loss here on January 2.

Al Jefferson had 30 points and 12 rebounds and Randy Foye added a career-best 26 to help Minnesota register back-to-back road wins with Saturday's 99-96 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers.

"Two wins back-to-back, it's little goals that we're setting for ourselves. That is what we are trying to strive for," Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman said.

Since replacing former coach Dwane Casey last season, Whittman has yet to guide Minnesota to three straight wins.