Vandeweghe Sets Mark as Clippers Lose Again

Kiki Vandeweghe scored 29 points and broke Portland’s single-season scoring record as the Trail Blazers beat the Clippers, 113-100, Sunday night, the 10th straight loss for Los Angeles.

Vandeweghe has 2,049 points this season, eclipsing the previous mark of 2,031 held by Geoff Petrie, who scored his total as a rookie in 1970-71, the first year of the Portland franchise. Vandeweghe surpassed Petrie’s mark early in the second quarter.

Clyde Drexler added 27 points for Portland, including 18 in the first half as the Blazers moved to a 60-44 lead.

The Clippers, who have lost 19 consecutive games in Portland, narrowed the Blazers’ lead to 75-70 with three minutes left in the third period. Darnell Valentine scored 12 of his 14 points in the quarter for Los Angeles, but Portland increased the margin to 87-73 by the end of the period.

Michael Cage paced the Clippers with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Larry Drew added 18 points.

Jerome Kersey made a rare start at forward and had 12 points and 13 rebounds for Portland. Steve Johnson, the Blazers’ regular center, sat out the game due to tendinitis in his knees.

The loss was the 17th straight on the road for the Clippers (12-66).

“This has been a nightmare of a season,” Clipper Coach Don Chaney said. “We’ve had so many injuries. We’re almost afraid to play each game. It seems like we lose somebody every game we play.”

“Next year, if I am back as coach, you have to think things would get better,” he added.

“Portland’s playing well right now,” Chaney said. “They have players who play well together, and they have good depth. It will help them a great deal in the playoffs.”

The Blazers, who have four regular-season games left, improved to 47-31 with the victory.