Fernandez

scores 23

off bench

KEN GOE

The Portland Trail Blazers did a little multi-tasking Thursday night in the Rose Garden.

The Blazers took another big step toward their first appearance in the NBA playoffs since 2003 and snipped a six-game winning streak by the Phoenix Suns in the process.

The Blazers broke free from the run-and-gun Suns thanks to a big third quarter from LaMarcus Aldridge and roared away a 129-109 victory in front of their 63rd consecutive sellout crowd.

Aldridge scored 13 of his season-high 29 points in a flashy third-quarter run in which the Blazers waved goodbye, taking a 67-61 lead and turning it into 100-79 by the quarter's end. Aldridge also added 12 rebounds, and has a team-high 18 double doubles this season.

The magic number for Portland to guarantee a berth in the playoffs now is six. Any combination of six Blazers victories and or Phoenix losses, and it's hello postseason.

Blazers coach Nate McMillan had to like the way his team responded to the challenge and disposed of the red-hot Suns, fresh from a victory Wednesday night over Utah. It's almost as if the Blazers are scenting the postseason and turning up the intensity another notch.

"It's a much more physical game teams are playing," McMillan said before the game, talking about the way the NBA teams are getting ready for the playoffs. "There are more possessions than there were back in January. It's a mental adjustment you have to make."

The Blazers are making it. They grabbed the lead and --despite some big moments from Phoenix stars Shaquille O'Neal and Steve Nash --never relinquished it.

Portland took over early, holding the upper hand throughout a back-and-forth first half after sprinting away from Phoenix with a 10-point run early in the first quarter.

Brandon Roy fueled the run, scoring twice with slashing drives and once by burying a three-pointer out of the deep left corner.

The Suns retook the lead, 27-26, on Jason Richardson's midrange jumper with 1:20 left in the first quarter. Aldridge closed the quarter with a three-pointer and Portland led 29-27.

The Blazers clung to the lead in the second quarter, with Phoenix nipping at their heels.

Portland opened a nine-point advantage when Sergio Rodriguez's double-pump move-and-bucket from the lane made it 42-33, and another moments later on a dunk by Joel Pryzbilla.

The Suns determinedly stayed in the game thanks to O'Neal's work in the paint. Shaq's three-point play at the 6:48 mark cut the Blazers' lead to 44-38. O'Neal might be 37, but he has been a force late in the season.

Coming into the game, O'Neal was averaging 20.1 points since Alvin Gentry replaced Terry Porter as coach and opened up the Phoenix offense.

He sparked the Suns again this time. When teammate Stromile Swift hit from three-point range with 5:35 showing, it was 46-43.

Then Rudy Fernandez came off the bench and went to work for the Blazers.

Fernandez hit twice from three-point range in a two-minute span, which pushed him past Ben Gordon of the Chicago Bulls and into seventh place on the NBA's all-time rookie three-pointers list.

The second three-pointer shoved the Blazers in front 59-51. Nash scored three times for the Suns in the half's final 1:05, all on pretty moves following penetration. But Steve Blake answered for Portland, first nailing a jumper, then scoring on a drive with 2.8 seconds remaining to give the Blazers and 65-57 edge at the break.

Greg Oden played 9 minutes and 23 seconds of the half in relief of Pryzbilla, and had a couple spectacular blocks.

"If he can continue to improve that will help us," Blazers coach Nate McMillan said. "We need him to play well, whether he is starting or coming off the bench."

Oden had trouble with O'Neal when the two were on the floor at the same time. But then, so did Pryzbilla.

None of that mattered in the third quarter, when the Blazers took over. Roy got the Blazers off and running with a quick bucket. Nicolas Batum --playing with a left ankle sprain --converted a three-point play with 9:06 left in the third quarter that pushed Portland in front 73-61.

The Blazers went up by 13 for the first time on two Aldridge free throws at the quarter's 4:24 mark.

Aldridge was just getting warmed up.

He scored at the business end of the Blazers' fast break to make it 87-74. His two free throws gave Portland a 15-point lead, 89-74.

When he nailed a mid-range jumper with 1:18 left in the quarter, Portland had grabbed a 95-77 lead and was in control.

At that point, Aldridge had scored eight of the Blazers' previous 10 points and 10 of their previous 14.

Fernandez closed the quarter in spectacular fashion. First, he converted a pretty feed from Rodriguez into a hoop. Then he stole a pass and swished a three-pointer at the buzzer to put Portland in front 100-79 heading into the final 12 minutes.

The fourth quarter was for fun. The Blazers set a season-high for points as the fans roared their approval.

Ken Goe: 503-221-8040;

kengoe@news.oregonian.com