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Blazers try to continue home winning streak

Feb 22, 2009 - 2:19 AM LA Clippers (13-42) at Portland (34-20) 6:00 p.m. EST

PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- The Portland Trail Blazers understand the significance of home-court advantage, and their 22-5 record at the Rose Garden reflects that.

The Blazers have won seven in a row in front of their home crowd, and they look to continue that streak when they face the woeful Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

In the first meeting between the teams on December 12, the Blazers lost one of their five games at home, 120-112 in double overtime. Former Blazers center Zach Randolph got the best of his former team that night, scoring 38 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

Portland exacted a measure of revenge on January 26, when it rolled to a 113-88 rout at Los Angeles.

Both teams will be without their post presence's on Sunday, either to injury or suspension.

Portland center Greg Oden will miss his third consecutive game with a sore left knee, while the Clippers will be without centers Chris Kaman and Randolph.

Kaman, who hasn't played a game since November 26 because of a strained left foot, is still a week away from returning to action. Randolph will not play, as he is serving a two-game suspension for shoving Phoenix forward Louis Admunson on Tuesday.

Randolph's frustration is a reflection of the team reaching a boiling point. The 13-42 Clippers are a conference-worst 8-27 against Western Conference opponents, and the players and coaches are beginning to allow their emotions to get the best of them.

Guard Ricky Davis was ejected Wednesday night in Phoenix, after receiving two technical fouls in the third quarter and Clippers head coach Mike Dunleavy leads all coaches in technical fouls this season.

The Blazers have won four of their last five, while the Clippers have lost seven of their last 10.