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Blazers look to beat Hawks for 10th straight time

Dec 3, 2006 - 3:00 PM Atlanta (6-8) at Portland (6-11) 9:00 pm EST

PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Hawks and the Portland Trail Blazers continue to struggle in their battle towards respectability.

The two scuffling teams will meet Sunday when the Trail Blazers look for their 10th straight win against the Hawks.

Portland finished with the worst record in the league in 2005-06 and Atlanta has suffered through seven consecutive losing campaigns. This season, the Hawks were playing better, rising three games above .500 for the first time in nearly eight years. However, since then, Atlanta has lost nine of 11 overall and three straight away from home.

On Friday, Portland dropped a 91-89 decision to Orlando on a basket by Grant Hill in the closing seconds. Zach Randolph had 28 points and 13 rebounds for the Blazers, who have lost four straight and nine of 11. Jarrett Jack added 14 points and five assists for the Blazers, who shot 41 percent (32-of-78).

Atlanta aims for its first win against Portland since January 8, 2002. The Hawks have suffered seven consecutive losses on the road against the Blazers dating to December 15, 1997.

Joe Johnson scored 31 points, Zaza Pachulia added 20 and 11 boards and Tyronn Lue 17 points for the Hawks, who shot 45 percent (32-of-71) but lost for the seventh time in nine games, 106-95, to Cleveland on Friday.