Trail Blazers rout Clippers

Steve Blake tied an NBA record for assists in one quarter when he handed out 14 during the first period in the Portland Trail Blazers’ 116-87 win over the Clippers on Sunday. San Antonio’s John Lucas set the record of 14 assists during the second quarter against Denver on April 15, 1984.

“I took a peek and saw I was getting up there, so I was happy guys kept making shots for me,” Blake said. “When it comes to assists, your teammates have to make shots, and they did that for me.”

With Portland (35-20) running against a Clippers’ team down six players due to injury, Blake took advantage of the fast-paced start the Trail Blazers created. During one stretch during the first quarter, Blake had assists on nine consecutive baskets, including five passes that led to dunks by LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum and Joel Przybilla.

“When I run the floor like that and Blake passes you the ball like that, what can you do?” said Aldridge, who had a double-double with 28 points and 10 rebounds.

The Clippers (13-43) couldn’t do much. They were without starting forwards Zach Randolph and Al Thornton. Randolph served the second game of a two-game suspension for punching Phoenix’s Louis Amundson on Feb. 17. Thornton, out because of a sore right foot, sat out for the first time this season.

The Clippers were also missing forward Marcus Camby (ear infection), center Chris Kaman (left foot), forward Brian Skinner (right foot) and guard Mike Taylor (right thumb). Beyond that, starting guard Baron Davis played with a painful toe injury.

“Once they started running, it was hard for us to get back,” Davis said. “We just got dominated out there.”

Blake, who scored six points, had plenty to do with Portland’s quick start. The Trail Blazers made 18 of 26 shots during the first quarter on the way to a 38-16 lead.

Eric Gordon led the Clippers with 21 points, and DeAndre Jordan had 15 points and 12 rebounds.