If there is a "gimme" on the Trail Blazers' current five-game trip, you might have thought it was at Washington on Wednesday.
The Wizards are 3-12 after Tuesday's 108-88 victory at New Jersey, though still the worst record in the Eastern Conference. Interim coach Ed Tapscott took over when Eddie Jordan was fired 11 games into the season. "It's one of those games you have to be careful of," Portland coach Nate McMillan. "They've got a lot of good players on that roster."
With oft-injured guard Gilbert Arenas still recovering from his third knee surgery, Washington relies on Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler -- who each scored 22 points against the Nets -- for offense. Jamison averaged 19.5 points as the teams split a pair of meetings last season.
TRAIL BLAZERS 104, KNICKS 97: Portland improved to 6-0 against Eastern Conference teams and 6-6 on the road on the second leg of its current five-game trip.
Superior depth was the difference as five players scored in double-figures and Portland's second unit combined to outscore the New York reserves 47-20.
The Blazers' second unit "came in, got aggressive and were able to gain control of the game," coach Nate McMillan said. "When you're playing nine, 10 guys, if we play the way we condition ourselves to, we should be able to wear down some teams."
Portland (13-6) trailed 75-67 late in the third quarter when it used a 14-0 run to win its fifth straight game. A 54-36 rebounding advantage was a huge key for the Blazers, who went into the game ranked second in the NBA in rebound percentage.
