A matchup between two of the premier shooting guards in the NBA happens Thursday night when the Trail Blazers visit New Jersey.
Portland's Brandon Roy will go against the Nets' Vince Carter, who had put together a string of five straight 20-point games going into Wednesday's showdown against Boston. Carter, who turns 32 on Jan. 26, is averaging 22.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists. Roy, 24, carries averages of 22.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists. "They're definitely two of the best at their position," Portland coach Nate McMillan said. "It's going to be a challenge for Brandon and whoever else we put on Carter."
76ERS 100, BLAZERS 79: Portland fell behind by 16 points after one quarter and never recovered in one of its poorest performances of the season. With Andre Iguodala cutting loose for a season-high 29 points, the 76ers jumped in front 31-15 after one, stoked the lead to 24 points in the second quarter and breezed to their fifth straight win.
The 76ers "played well from the start and we just didn't have it," McMillan said. "We couldn't get anything going on offense, and we turned the ball over way too many times early."
At one point in the second quarter, Portland had committed 11 turnovers -- resulting in 17 Philadelphia points -- to one for the Sixers. The Blazers finished with 16 turnovers to nine for the hosts.
