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Blazers look to secure playoff spot

Apr 4, 2009 - 8:19 PM By Anthony Giornalista Stats Writer

Houston (48-28) at Portland (48-27), 7:00 p.m. EDT

HOUSTON (AP) -- Four straight blowout wins have put the Portland Trail Blazers on the verge of clinching a playoff spot. They might have a tough time continuing that run at Houston.

With a chance to secure their first postseason appearance in six years, the Trail Blazers look to end their struggles on the road against the Rockets on Sunday night in a matchup of teams jockeying for position in the Western Conference.

Portland (48-27), a half-game ahead of Houston (48-28) for fourth place in the West, needs a win or a Phoenix loss entering Sunday to make the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

With seven games left, this is an excellent time for the Trail Blazers to be heating up. They've won each of their last four games by at least 20 points, including a 107-72 victory over Oklahoma City on Friday night.

"It just shows that we are growing up," said Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge, averaging 26.4 points and 10.8 rebounds in his last five games. "I think that this team is coming together. Guys are growing up, guys are getting better and I think this is the perfect time to do it."

Aldridge has scored at least 20 points in three straight games at the Toyota Center, but his performances weren't enough to get Portland a win. The Blazers have dropped nine of their last 10 at Houston, averaging 82.8 points during that stretch.

The Rockets have allowed 91.1 points per game en route to winning 15 of their last 17 at home, including a 98-94 win over the Blazers on Feb. 24.

This is just one of some tough tests down the stretch for Portland, making the second stop on a four-game trip. The Blazers have matchups with San Antonio, the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver remaining.

"We still have work to do," Aldridge said. "We don't want to let down. We want to try to get better."

With its offense struggling, Houston may need another strong game on defense to continue its run at home versus Portland.

The Rockets committed 18 turnovers in a 93-81 loss to the Lakers on Friday night, scoring fewer than 88 points for the third time in five games.

"I would say every game we probably have 15 or 20 possessions that the play is ran to the wrong place, or when all five guys know the play there is only about 12 seconds left (on the shot clock)," said Houston center Yao Ming said, who scored 16 points while attempting just 12 shots. "That's our biggest problem right now. It (happens) too many times."

But the Rockets didn't let their problems on offense interfere with their play at the other end. They limited Los Angeles to 39.5 percent shooting two days after giving up 114 points in a loss to Phoenix.

Ron Artest, Houston's best defensive stopper, is averaging 24.5 points in his last two games. He is averaging 15.0 points on 36.4 percent shooting in two games this season against the Blazers.

The teams split those meetings, with Yao struggling for Houston. The center is averaging 14.0 points on 35.7 percent shooting in those games, with almost as many turnovers (seven) as baskets (10).