Blazers Trick Wizards

In the NBA, the best time to catch a team at its most vulnerable is when it's playing games on back-to-back nights on the opposite side of the country.

Not the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Blazers went 6-1 this season on the second nights of back-to-backs on the road against Eastern Conference teams. They wrapped up their travels East with a win at Detroit on Saturday and a 102-86 victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

"We shouldn't have problems with back-to-backs," Portland forward Detlef Schrempf said. "Because we've got a lot of guys who can play."

"We do need some of our guys to have consistently good nights," coach Mike Dunleavy said. "We don't need somebody to have a great night."

Sunday night's victory was a perfect example. Portland jumped to an early lead and did just enough the rest of the way to hold Washington at bay. Six Trail Blazers scored in double figures, but no one topped Damon Stoudamire's 16 points. Nine players played at least 18 minutes, but no one played more than 32.

Arvydas Sabonis had 15 points and 13 rebounds. Reserves Greg Anthony (15 points) and Bonzi Wells (14) shot a combined 11-for-15 from the field.

"What's so scary is they didn't have Brian Grant," said Washington forward Tracy Murray, referring to the Portland forward who's out with a foot injury. "They just came out there and pretty much dominated the game right from the start. We got back into it, but they still had control of the game. It's almost like they have a switch to turn it on, turn it off."

Mitch Richmond led Washington with 18 points.

The Wizards had played six tight games in a row, including back-to-back overtime games against New York and San Antonio, but they were essentially out of this one before the first quarter was half over.

Washington missed its first six shots, fell behind 10-0 and 17-2 and didn't have an offensive rebound in the first quarter. Murray's jump shots kept the Wizards in distant striking range. He was 6-for-8 in the first half, including 3-for-3 from 3-point range, but scored only two after halftime. He finished with 17 points.

Portland responded every time the Wizards try to rally. The Blazers led 27-17 after the first quarter, 55-43 at the half and 72-65 after three quarters. Washington never got closer than seven points after the first quarter.

Portland erased any doubts with a 15-0 fourth-quarter run, making the score 91-69 with 5:16 remaining.

"That's a very good basketball team," Washington coach Darrell Walker said. "Very deep, very talented. I didn't know if I should be worried about the first unit or the second unit."

Of Portland's back-to-back successes this season, this may have been the biggest. They had a season-high three-game losing streak before the weekend.

"We had a little bit of slippage, but we didn't slip too far," forward Rasheed Wallace said. "We're back on that track again. We're just out there hoopin' now."

Notes