Thu Jan 3 04:13:14 2008

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Roy, Blazers down struggling Timberwolves

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Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Brandon Roy scored 24 points, and the Trail Blazers rebounded from seeing their 13-game win streak come to an end to rout the flailing Minnesota Timberwolves, 90-79.

James Jones scored 18 points off the bench, drilling three-of-five three- pointers for the Blazers, who have won 14 of 15. LaMarcus Aldridge had 17 points and 11 rebounds for Portland.

Al Jefferson scored 29 points and hauled in 16 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who have lost six in a row and 12 of 13. Ryan Gomes had 10 points and 10 boards for Minnesota, which is a franchise-worst 4-27 after 31 games.

Aldridge scored 10 points in the first quarter, and the Blazers took a 23-18 lead into the second.

The Blazers pulled away early in the second quarter thanks to a 16-5 run. Jones kicked off the run with a jumper, and scored 10 points on the stretch, including consecutive three-pointers, and a Joel Przybilla dunk boosted Portland to a 39-25 lead with 8:14 left.

"It was a tough night for us offensively, especially in transition," said Minnesota forward Craig Smith. "We had a bunch of easy buckets, we kind of blew them a little bit."

The Timberwolves trailed 52-42 at the half.

Minnesota trailed by 15 points early in the third quarter, but chipped away, using a 14-3 stretch to pull to within four points of the red-hot Blazers. Sebastian Telfair drilled a three-pointer and a Corey Brewer dunk cut the deficit to 60-56 with 4:49 left in the third.

The Blazers closed the quarter with a 15-6 run, though, and pushed ahead 75-62 entering the fourth. The Wolves never really threatened in the fourth quarter, as Portland pushed its lead to 17 points early in the stanza and cruised to the finish line.

"It was a good win, we'll take it," said Roy. "It was kind of sloppy, but hey, you'll have those."

Game Notes

Minnesota fell to 3-11 at home...Portland shot only 39 percent from the field, but Minnesota shot only 35 percent, including 3-of-14 from behind the arc (21.4 percent)...The Timberwolves outrebounded Portland, 46-44.