Blazer streak hits 11

Jack, Frye provide lifts off bench

By Kerry Eggers

LocalNewsDaily.com, Dec 25, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Streak or no streak, the Trail Blazers will take wins any way they can get them.

Tuesday’s 89-79 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics was no work of art, but style points don’t count when they add up wins in the NBA.

The only thing that really matters is Portland’s league-best streak is now at 11 after the Blazers (16-12) moved within a half-game of Denver (16-11) in the Northwest Division race.

A standing-room-only crowd of 20,527 enjoyed Portland’s first Christmas Day game in 22 years, cheering the Blazers on to their longest win streak since a 12-game tear in February and March of 2002.

Portland shot a season-worst .387 from the field and its top three scorers – Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Travis Outlaw – combined to make only 12 of 35 shots.

But Jarrett Jack and Channing Frye provided big games off the bench and the Blazers had a season-low six turnovers and season highs in offensive rebounds (19) and field-goal attempts (93).

“It didn’t feel like we had that rhythm, but 93 attempts and only six turnovers, with 27 assists? You take that rhythm,” Portland coach Nate McMillan said. “It was another different kind of win for us. LaMarcus, Brandon and Travis all struggled. Those guys who normally carry us, but we got a lift from our bench. It continues to be a team effort.”

Portland led only 46-44 after a tight first half, then opened it up with a 12-0 run midway through the third quarter to seize a 66-50 lead. Seattle got to within 74-68 early in the fourth period before the Blazers scored the next nine points to put the game on ice.

Roy has been on a roll, winning back-to-back Western Conference player of the week awards earlier in the month. But he shot like he was on a turkey hangover Tuesday, making only 7 of 23 attempts before a national TV audience on ESPN.

Lucky for the Blazers the 6-6 guard caught fire in the third quarter, making 5 of 6 tries and scoring 11 points as Portland increased a 46-44 halftime lead to 70-62. The other three quarters, Roy – who finished with 17 points, six rebounds and seven assists – was a staggering 2 of 17 from the field.

Aldridge never did find his touch, making only 1 of 10 shots en route to a two-point, five-rebound performance. He exited with 1:46 left in the third quarter and never returned.

That left it to Jack, Frye and Steve Blake to provide offense and for Joel Przybilla to lead the boards barrage on a night when it was desperately needed.

Jack was 6 of 7 from the field and had 12 points and three assists in the first half, finishing 7 of 11 with 17 points, four assists and no turnovers in 31 solid minutes.

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