Clippers can’t stop Portland

PORTLAND, Ore -- LaMarcus Aldridge is becoming the offensive force that Portland Coach Nate McMillan has been envisioning all season.

Aldridge had 22 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high seven assists, Brandon Roy added 21 points and six assists, and the Trail Blazers beat the Clippers, 107-102, on Friday night.

Martell Webster had 16 points and Steve Blake had 15 points and 11 assists for Portland, which has slim playoff hopes but has seen the emergence of Aldridge as a low-post complement to All-Star guard Roy.

“It becomes a simple game when you’ve got a guy who can score in the low post,” McMillan said. “That’s a weapon, that’s an option we were hoping to develop this season and it’s happening.”

Cuttino Mobley scored 22 of his 24 points in the second half, and Josh Powell added 21 for the Clippers. Los Angeles has lost six in a row and 14 of 16 and was missing leading scorer Corey Maggette because of a sore shoulder.

Dan Dickau had 14 points and seven assists, Smush Parker had 14 points and six assists, and Quinton Ross had 12 points for the Clippers.

The Clippers outscored Portland, 27-20, in the fourth quarter, and got within three points on a three-pointer from Mobley, but Jarrett Jack made two free throws for Portland to seal the win.

Roy had just two points in the first quarter but bounced back from a three-for-14 shooting night against Phoenix on Tuesday. He’s averaging 22.7 points over his last 10 games.

With center Chris Kaman (back) missing his seventh straight game, the Clippers had difficulties stopping Aldridge, who made 11 of 18 shots and has scored at least 20 points in each of the past eight games. He has led Portland in scoring in the last three games and five of the last eight. Roy has led the Blazers in the other three.

“The young fellows, Roy and Aldridge, I love their game,” Mobley said. “They’re smart and know how to play.”

Aldridge got the best of rookie Al Thornton, who struggled through a two-for-10 shooting night for the Clippers and finished with five points.

The Trail Blazers are 6 1/2 games behind Golden State for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Aldridge was almost unstoppable from the beginning, making his first seven shots and finishing the first quarter with 14 points and five rebounds to give Portland a 32-24 lead.

The Clippers adjusted, throwing double-teams at Aldridge when he touched the ball.

“I’m learning,” he said. “I watched film and saw how they were double-teaming me last time. I made a conscious effort to find guys open.”

After a 57-57 first half, the Trail Blazers tightened up their defense and began to pull away, going on a 16-3 run to make it 77-64.

The Clippers fell to 9-24 on the road.

--

TONIGHT

vs. Portland, 7:30, Ch. 5

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Clippers 21-47, Trail Blazers 36-33.

Record vs. Trail Blazers -- 0-2.

Update -- The teams end their season series tonight with the back end of the home-and-home series in Los Angeles.

-- Jonathan Abrams