Roy scores 27 in Blazers' 111-94 win over Lakers

[March 10, 2009]  PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Brandon Roy scored 27 points and the Trail Blazers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 111-94 on Monday night in a game marred by Portland's Rudy Fernandez being carried off the court on a stretcher after a hard foul.

Fernandez, a rookie from Spain, was hurt late in the third quarter when he was fouled by Trevor Ariza while going up for a shot. He was carried from the court on a stretcher with his neck in a brace.

Fernandez was conscious and alert when he left the court, and he had full movement of his extremities, the team said. But he was experiencing chest pain and was taken to a hospital.

Travis Outlaw added 22 points for the Blazers, who have won 12 straight at the Rose Garden. Joel Przybilla also had 12 points and 18 rebounds, while LaMarcus Aldridge had 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Kobe Bryant had 26 points, while Pau Gasol had 18 for the Lakers, who haven't won at the Rose Garden in their last seven tries, with their last victory on Feb. 23, 2005.

It was the Lakers' third straight road loss, although they have one of the league's best overall road records at 21-9.

The Blazers are among the NBA's best home teams with a 27-5 record, and their latest winning streak at home dates to a 104-98 loss to Cleveland on Jan. 21.

The rivalry between the Lakers and the Blazers had cooled in recent years, in part because Portland has not been a playoff contender. But it seems to be heating back up with the demise of the so-called "Jail Blazers" and the potential of the NBA's second-youngest team.

Fans at the Rose Garden chanted "Beat L.A!" and booed nearly every time Bryant took a shot.

Portland jumped out to a 19-12 lead on rookie Nicolas Batum's third dunk, as the Blazers found early success in the paint. The Blazers took off on a 10-2 run midway through the first half that put them up 31-16 after Outlaw's 3-pointer.

Portland extended the lead to 51-32 on Aldridge's dunk on a hand-off from Roy. Outlaw's 17-foot jumper made it 60-36 and the Blazers wrapped up the half with a 61-38 lead.

Outlaw finished the half with 17 points, while Bryant had 12 for the Lakers on 6-of-15 shooting.

Fernandez hit a 3-pointer that gave Portland a 81-51 lead in the final minutes of the third quarter. Shortly thereafter, he was driving to the basket on a fast-break when he was fouled by Ariza.

Fernandez fell hard under the basket, on both his elbow and his hip. He remained prone on the court for more than 10 tense minutes before being taken from the court on a stretcher.

A skirmish broke out among the two teams and Ariza was ejected. The Blazers were assessed a pair of technical fouls.

The Blazers went flat after Fernandez went out, and the Lakers closed the gap to 89-73 midway through the fourth quarter.

But the Blazers wouldn't let Los Angeles get any closer. Roy sealed it with a statement dunk with 2:58 left that made it 106-79. Afterward, he chest bumped his teammates.

The Blazers remained without Greg Oden, who hasn't played since the All-Star break because of a bone chip in his knee. The 7-foot center is expected to be reevaluated this week.

Notes: The Lakers also beat the Blazers in the season opener for both teams, 96-76. ... The Lakers' 38 points in the first half were a season low. ... The Blazers normally play a snippet of "I Love L.A." whenever LaMarcus Aldridge scores, but replaced it Monday night for obvious reasons. ... The Lakers play nine of their next 12 away from home. ... Roy did not play because of a sore hamstring when the two teams last met -- a 100-86 Lakers' victory in Los Angeles on Jan. 4.

[Associated Press; By ANNE M. PETERSON]

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