Blazers Snap Spurs' Win Streak

Using a team defense that would have even made the Baltimore Ravens proud, the Trail Blazers held Duncan to eight of his 34 points over the final 21:45 to beat the Spurs 98-93 and end their league-best 13-game winning streak.

The Spurs' first loss of the month also kept them from moving into a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers — who lost at Phoenix earlier Wednesday night — for second place in the Western Conference. Instead, Portland (44-27) kept alive its slim hopes of catching the Spurs or Dallas for the No. 4 seed.

The Trail Blazers, a league-best 19-4 since the All-Star break, held the Spurs without a field goal for a critical stretch of 4:08 that ended when Duncan tipped in a miss with about 12 seconds left. By then, however, Portland had taken control of the game behind 24 points — 18 in the second half — from Bonzi Wells.

Via San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers

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Smith Available Against Blazers

Smith, having survived his own assignment from Brungardt while tending to his sprained right ankle, graduated from the sidelines to the court Tuesday. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, apparently satisfied with the results of Smith's workout, is expected to let him play tonight against Portland.

"I think I passed my test," Smith said after playing some fullcourt three-on-three. "I feel like I'm at 98, 99 percent. But I still can't jump."

Smith, of course, has been waging a losing battle with gravity long before he jammed his ankle against Chicago on March 14. Able to count his dunks this season on a single hand — if not a single finger — he has instead become the league's leading 3-point shooter.

While Smith still keeps in touch with Rasheed Wallace and other players from last season's team, it's a safe guess he no longer has Blazers president Bob Whitsitt's phone number on speed dial. Believing management had diminished his role by overstocking the team's roster, Smith asked for either a contract extension or a trade last summer.

Via San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers

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Blazers bop Wolves 108-99, push Minnesota down a rung on playoff ladde

Via Star Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers

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