PORTLAND, Ore. — Steve Blake tied an NBA mark with 14 first-quarter assists and LaMarcus Aldridge scored 28 points as the Portland Trail Blazers rolled to a 116-87 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
Blake matched the record set by San Antonio’s John Lucas during the second quarter against Denver on April 15, 1984. Blake finished with 17 assists.
Aldridge had a double-double, as he hit 13 of 20 shots from the field and grabbed 10 rebounds. Brandon Roy had 20 points, eight rebounds and nine assists for Portland (35-20), which pulled within two games of first-place Denver in the Northwest Division. The Blazers, who won their eighth consecutive home game, are 3-0 since the All-Star break.
Eric Gordon led Los Angeles with 21 points.
Depleted Los Angeles (13-43) was without several players, including starting forwards Zach Randolph and Al Thornton. Randolph served the second of a two-game suspension for punching Phoenix’s Louis Amundson on Feb. 17. Thornton, out with a sore right foot, missed his first game of the season.
The Clippers were also missing forward Marcus Camby (ear infection), center Chris Kaman (left foot), forward Brian Skinner (right foot) and guard Mike Taylor (right thumb).
Portland started the rout early by outscoring Los Angeles 38-14 during the first quarter. With Blake leading the way, the Blazers had assists on their first 12 baskets. Portland had six dunks during the opening quarter, including three by Aldridge, who shot 9-of-10 during the first quarter.
Blake didn’t have an assist during the second quarter, but it had no bearing on Portland’s performance. The Blazers were able to increase their lead to as many as 32 points before halftime. Blake’s 14 first-half assists established a Portland franchise record for assists in one half.
Portland continued to toy with Los Angeles during the second half, though the Clippers did get as close as 20 points midway through the third quarter. The Blazers shot 52 percent from the field, and outrebounded Los Angeles 56-38.
DeAndre Jordan had a double-double for the Clippers with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Notes: Thornton was the only Clippers player to start every game
this season before sitting out Sunday’s game. Replacing Thornton was Steve Novak, who became the team’s 17th player to start a game. … Portland’s Greg Oden sat out his third game since the All-Star break because of a chipped knee cap. He’s day-to-day. … In three games since the All-Star break, Los Angeles is giving up an average of 132 points a game.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
