Lillard leads Blazers to 136-106 rout of Spurs

[March 09, 2013]  SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Damian Lillard had 35 points and nine assists and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the San Antonio Spurs 136-106 on Friday night to set a record for most points by an opponent at the AT&T Center.

LaMarcus Aldridge added 26 points and J.J. Hickson had 23 points and 11 rebounds for Portland, which handed San Antonio its worst loss this season. Eric Maynor added 20 points off the bench and Wesley Matthews had 15 points.

Tim Duncan had 18 points to lead the Spurs, who were playing their third straight game without All-Star point guard Tony Parker. Manu Ginobili and Kawhi Leonard added 16 points apiece and Cory Joseph had 13 points.

San Antonio had difficulty keeping pace with Portland's athleticism in losing for only the fourth time in 29 home games this season.

The Trail Blazers were 13 for 21 on 3-pointers and also shot 61 percent overall from the field to upend the Spurs, who entered the game with the league's best record.

Hickson and Aldridge dominated early, combining for 33 points and seven rebounds in the first half. Lillard scored 25 points in the second half as Portland outscored San Antonio 46-24 in the final quarter.

San Antonio closed within 107-95 on a 6-0 run, but Lillard ended the streak with a 3 that led Maynor to shout "Man down!" as he waited to enter the game. Lillard's 3 sparked a 14-4 run that included three 3s and three free throws by Portland's rookie point guard after he was fouled attempting a 3.

Hickson scored 19 points in the first half, going 8 for 11 on a mix jumpers and layups against several Spurs defenders.

NOTES: Portland C Meyers Leonard left the game early in the second quarter when he injured his right ankle after stepping on Duncan's foot. His status is unknown. Trail Blazers W Sasha Pavlovic (quadriceps) and G Elliot Williams both missed the game with injuries. ... San Antonio is 11-23 this season when trailing after the third quarter. ... With his 26 points, Aldridge became the only player in the league with 1,200 points and 500 rebounds this season. ... San Antonio celebrated military appreciation night, honoring all those who have served in the United States Armed Forces with video tributes. Gregg Popovich gave the introductory tribute, followed by similar messages from Danny Green and Stephen Jackson. Members of the Wounded Warriors sat at courtside.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.