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Blazers hope to end trip on high note vs. Raptors

Dec 7, 2008 - 7:38 AM Portland (14-7) at Toronto (8-10) 1:00 p.m. EST

TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Portland Trail Blazers were brought to earth on Friday by the defending champions, but they still have a chance to complete a strong road trip.

The Blazers will be looking to finish off their five-game Eastern Conference swing with four wins when they face the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.

After cruising past Detroit, New York and Washington in running their overall winning streak to six games, Portland finally fell on Friday, 93-78, to the Boston Celtics. The 78 points were the Blazers' lowest total since dropping a 96-76 decision to the Lakers on opening night.

But a win in Toronto would put a fitting end on the trip for the Blazers, who are quickly emerging as a contender out West. Portland is especially dangerous at home, posting a 7-0 record at the Rose Garden, and will have plenty of home games coming up after this game gives them an NBA-high 15 road contests already this season.

The Blazers will be meeting a team in turmoil, as the Raptors will be playing their second game under interim coach Jay Triano, who took over when Sam Mitchell was fired on Wednesday.

The 2006-07 NBA Coach of the Year, Mitchell was let go after an embarrassing 132-93 loss at Denver dropped Toronto below .500.

Triano did not fare any better in his debut on Friday, when the Raptors closed a three-game trip with a 114-87 loss at Utah. They allowed an average of 119 points per game in the three setbacks.