Trail Blazers Put Clamps on Duncan

The Portland Trail Blazers weren’t looking for revenge. They were just looking to get back on the winning track after suffering consecutive losses for the first time this season.

The visiting Trail Blazers did just that impressively Wednesday night as they stopped Tim Duncan’s double-figure scoring streak at 61 games in a 105-95 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

“This was the performance we were looking for after two subpar performances in Texas,” Portland Coach Mike Dunleavy said of losses to Dallas and Houston. “We got a big night from Rasheed Wallace and moved the ball very well on offense.”

It was the first meeting between the teams since the Spurs swept the Blazers, 4-0, in the Western Conference finals last season on their way to the NBA title.

“Portland is one heck of a team, very talented,” San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich said. “Our defense played better in the second half, but we got ourselves in a hole.”

Portland never trailed and held a double-figure lead most of the second half.

Wallace scored 22 points and did most of the defensive work against Duncan, who scored only nine after coming in with a 24.8 scoring average.

Duncan made only two of nine shots from the field in 38 minutes and had only six rebounds. He did not make his first field goal until 8:06 remained.

“I have to give a lot of credit to Portland,” Duncan said. “They didn’t let me get my rhythm tonight.”

David Robinson led the Spurs with 29 points.

Dallas 104, Washington 86--With new part-owner Michael Jordan and President Clinton watching from the owners’ box, the Wizards put on one of their worst performances of the season before 11,358, less than half of capacity at their MCI Center.

Michael Finley scored 23 points to lead the Mavericks as fans held up “Welcome Michael” signs, but booed the Wizards throughout the game.

Minnesota 91, Utah 88--Kevin Garnett scored 31 points and Bobby Jackson added 18, splitting the lane for two uncontested layups in the last 1:01 as the Timberwolves snapped the Jazz’s nine-game homecourt winning streak.

John Stockton led the Jazz with a season-high 23 points on nine-of-12 shooting with 12 assists.

New York 90, New Jersey 89--Charlie Ward had 19 points, seven assists and no turnovers, and Chris Childs forced Stephon Marbury into an airball on the final play as the Knicks held on at New York.

Philadelphia 107, Atlanta 89--Larry Hughes scored 18 points, including two sensational dunks in perhaps his last game for the 76ers, in a rout at Philadelphia.

Hughes reportedly could be traded to the Miami Heat in a deal for Jamal Mashburn.

The Hawks made only one field goal in the third quarter and trailed by as many as 30 points.

Boston 94, Toronto 90--Paul Pierce scored 30 points, including the game-winning three-pointer with 4.6 seconds left, to cap a 14-0 run as the Celtics prevailed at Boston.

Indiana 106, Milwaukee 84--Reggie Miller scored 29 points and Mark Jackson had 12 assists as the Pacers earned their 13th straight home victory.

The Bucks, led by Glenn Robinson with 25 points, dropped their eighth straight at Indiana.

Charlotte 96, Chicago 86--Eddie Jones led four Hornets in double figures with 26 points as Charlotte snapped a nine-game road losing streak.