|
 Forward LaMarcus Aldridge scored 29 points and grabbed nine
rebounds, and the Trail Blazers rallied late for a 98-93 overtime
victory over the short-handed Clippers on Wednesday night at Staples
Center.
Batum added 20 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. He hit a
3-pointer to force overtime and another one in the extra session
that allowed the Trail Blazers (40-19) to win their fourth in a row
and end a six-game losing streak at Staples.
"We found a way to make big plays when we needed to, especially at
the end and in overtime," said Batum, who shot 6-for-11 from the
floor and converted four of eight from 3-point range.
Portland prevailed despite Lillard's horrible performance on
offense. Lillard finished with five points on 1-of-13 shooting,
missing all seven of his 3-point attempts. Lillard, though, led the
Blazers with a career-high 18 rebounds.
"Down the stretch, we stayed the course," said Lillard, who also had
five turnovers and four assists. "It got rough, seemed like it was
over almost, but we just kept fighting and found a way in overtime.
I think (Batum) played big down the stretch to close the game out
and to push it in overtime. If he hadn't, we would have lost the
game."
 Point guard Chris Paul scored 36 points and had 12 assists to lead
the Clippers, who had their three-game winning streak snapped.
Shooting guard J.J. Redick had 26 points, but no other Clipper
managed double figures. Center DeAndre Jordan pulled down 19
rebounds, the 10th consecutive game he has had at least 15 boards.
The undermanned Clippers (40-22) were again without All-Star forward
Blake Griffin, who missed his 11th game since undergoing right elbow
surgery. The Clippers also were without shooting guard Jamal
Crawford (right calf contusion), and forward Matt Barnes (strained
right hamstring) sat out his second straight contest.
"I've said this even when we have won games -- we need Blake. But
without him, guys have to step up," said Paul, who missed a runner
at the horn to end regulation that would have won it for Los
Angeles. Paul made 14 of 29 field-goal attempts, including two of
six from behind the 3-point arc.
Clippers coach Doc Rivers said the defeat was a tough one.
"We made a lot of mistakes down the stretch," Rivers said. "We gave
up a couple of bad 3-pointers. That can never happen."
Lillard hit his only field goal with 3:05 left in overtime to give
Portland a 91-89 lead before Aldridge scored on an alley-oop for a
four-point advantage with 2:03 remaining.
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A pair of buckets by Paul tied the score at 93 before Aldridge
slammed home an alley-oop pass from Batum for a two-point Portland
lead with 59 seconds remaining. Batum buried at 3-point jumper with
21.1 seconds left to seal the win.
"Nick Batum either scored or assisted on the last 19 (points), which
is incredible," Portland coach Terry Stotts said. "We've come back
from a lot of double-digit deficits this year, and that was another
one. I can't say enough about how our guys keep competing, and we
never think we're out of it."
The Trail Blazers rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final three
minutes of regulation. They cut the gap to 85-82 after a 3-point
basket by guard Wes Matthews with 1:06 remaining. After the clubs
exchanged baskets, Batum hit a 3-pointer to tie the score at 87 with
26.1 seconds left.
Paul's shot on a drive at the horn was no good, forcing overtime.
NOTES: Clippers F Blake Griffin could return for the team's next
game, a Sunday clash in Oakland against the rival Golden State
Warriors, coach Doc Rivers said. ... Los Angeles F Jordan Hamilton,
who started again for injured F Matt Barnes, has been a good
addition offensively since signing a 10-day contract on Feb. 24, but
he needs to improve defensively, Rivers said. ... Trail Blazers G
Arron Afflalo is progressing well with each game since being
acquired in a Feb. 19 trade with the Denver Nuggets, according to
Portland coach Terry Stotts. "I think he's feeling more comfortable
at both ends of the court," Stotts said. "I think he's fitting in
very well. I think he's excited to be a part of a winning team and
contributing." ... The final regular-season meeting between the
teams will be April 1 at Portland. ... The Blazers visit the
Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.
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