Grizzlies Do the Blazing With Upset at Portland

It was a long time coming but the Vancouver Grizzlies finally did it.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 26 points, including two big baskets in the final two minutes as the Grizzlies earned their first victory at Portland since the opening game in franchise history on Nov. 5, 1995 by beating the Trail Blazers, 105-97, Tuesday night.

Scottie Pippen, Bonzi Wells and Damon Stoudamire scored 15 points apiece to lead Portland, which lost all-star forward Rasheed Wallace to an ejection for arguing calls early in the third quarter.

Rod Strickland, signed by the Trail Blazers as a free agent Monday after being released by the Washington Wizards last week, had eight points and five assists in 16 minutes, moving past Bob Cousy into eighth place all-time with 6,959 assists.

The Grizzlies also spoiled a feel-good night in which the Trail Blazers retired the jersey of former great Clyde Drexler.

Sacramento 98, Toronto 91--Chris Webber, returning from a 10-game absence, scored 19 points and added 13 rebounds as the Kings defeated the Raptors at Sacramento.

The Kings overcame a first-half stretch in which they missed 21 of 23 shots but were able to end Toronto’s season-high five-game winning streak.

Vince Carter and Antonio Davis each scored 25 points for the Raptors.

San Antonio 101, Seattle 73--Tim Duncan scored 22 points at Seattle as the Spurs led by 24 at the half and never let the lead drop below 13 afterward.

The point total was a season low for the SuperSonics, playing without starters Rashard Lewis and Brent Barry, both suffering groin pulls.

Phoenix 93, Denver 82--Shawn Marion, playing for the first time in 10 days, scored 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting against the depleted Nuggets at Denver.

Nugget point guard Nick Van Exel (bruised knee) and forward Antonio McDyess (dislocated kneecap) did not play. Marion returned after missing three games because of a concussion and sprained wrist.

New York 97, Indiana 83--The Knicks overcame a 17-point first-quarter deficit behind six double-figure scorers in the victory at New York.

The Knicks wrapped up the victory with an 18-1 run that consumed most of the final 6 1/2 minutes.

Minnesota 95, Charlotte 89--Kevin Garnett had 22 points and 13 rebounds at Charlotte, N.C., and helped end the Hornets’ winning streak at seven.

The Timberwolves, winners of four in a row, blew a 21-point second half lead but were able to defeat the Hornets for the first time since 1997 and for the first time in Charlotte.

Chicago 87, Cleveland 74--Marcus Fizer’s 17 points led five Bulls in double figures at Chicago.

Around the League

Miami Heat leading scorer Eddie Jones, who dislocated his left shoulder in Monday’s victory over Detroit, will likely be sidelined several weeks. Coach Pat Riley said he’s optimistic Jones can return before the end of the regular season April 18.

Milwaukee Buck guard Ray Allen was named to USA Basketball’s Executive Committee as an athlete representative. . . Washington put Chris Whitney on the injured list because of sore ankles, leaving the last-place Wizards without an experienced point guard for at least five games.