Thunder's eight-game win streak comes to end in Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. — LaMarcus Aldridge had a season-high 38 points and added 13 rebounds and the Portland Trail Blazers snapped Oklahoma City’s eight-game winning streak with a 111-104 victory over the Thunder on Wednesday night.

Nicolas Batum hit a 3-pointer with 29.9 seconds to go that all but sealed it for Portland, which has won 14 of its last 15 games. The win also snapped Oklahoma City’s seven-game winning streak against the Blazers.

The Thunder led by as many as 12 points in the first half, but Aldridge led a third-quarter rally and Portland built a 91-84 lead on consecutive 3-pointers from Dorell Wright and Damian Lillard with 7:58 left.

Russell Westbrook’s 3-pointer pulled the Thunder within 95-94 before Reggie Jackson’s two free throws gave them a short-lived lead with 5:34 to go. Aldridge hit a layup and a jumper to make it 105-100 for the Blazers.

Durant and Westbrook narrowed it again with consecutive baskets, but Batum’s 3-pointer made it 108-104 before Durant missed a 3 on the other end. The Blazers made free throws for the final margin.

Durant finished with 33 for the Thunder, who were playing the second game of a back-to-back after defeating Sacramento 97-95 Tuesday night.

Batum and Lillard added 14 points apiece for the Blazers, who were coming off a 106-102 victory over Indiana on Monday. Portland is 8-1 at home.

Aldridge scored 16 points of his points in the third quarter alone. He had his eighth double-double.

Wright’s bank jumper evened the game at 27 to start the second quarter. It was close throughout the half, with Portland’s Batum on Durant much of the time.

Durant took off on a fast break for a dunk and added a free throw to give the Thunder a 55-47 lead, their biggest of the game to that point.

Westbrook attempted a 3-pointer and the refs called a foul on Portland’s Wesley Matthews, prompting an angry reaction from Blazers coach Terry Stotts, who was given a technical, and the Thunder finished the half on a 9-0 for a 59-48 advantage.

Durant led all scorers in the half with 17 points.

One bright spot for the Blazers was center Robin Lopez, who had 12 points and five rebounds in the first half.

Batum’s 3 got the Blazers within 67-64 before Matthews’ layup got them within one midway through the third quarter. Batum’s pull-up jumper gave Portland a 70-69 lead, and Aldridge added a long jumper.

The Blazers clung to the lead until Durant’s jumper tied it at 78, but Aldridge answered with a turnaround jumper to cap a 10-point streak for the two-time All-Star.

NOTES: Oklahoma City is 9-0 at home but 4-4 on the road. ... Portland has lost only one game at home this season. ... Oregon State receiver Brandin Cooks and running back Storm Woods were at the game. The Beavers (6-6) are waiting to see if they’re headed to a bowl in the postseason. ... Coming off a six-game home stand, Oklahoma City is playing three games in four nights before heading home to face Indiana on Sunday.

The Gayly - December 5, 2013 @ 11:10am