Source:CNNSI Link: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2003/bask...t.ap/index.html Blazers finally get first away win by knocking off Nets Posted: Monday December 29, 2003 10:58PM; Updated: Monday December 29, 2003 11:23PM EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- As the ball rolled upcourt and final horn sounded, smiles appeared on the faces of a couple of Portland Trail Blazers. Winning on the road was sweet -- especially after losing the first 10 games away from home. The Trail Blazers became the last NBA team to win on the road this season, using their defense and rebounding in the fourth quarter to defeat the New Jersey Nets 91-87 Monday night. "We needed this real bad," Jeff McInnis said. "It was a desperate game. We knew it was a big game. It was crucial for our team. We've been struggling. We really focused in tonight and said we're going to get this win." The Trail Blazers got contributions on both ends of the court. Rasheed Wallace scored 16 points, Zach Randolph had 14 points and 13 rebounds, and McInnis added 13 for Portland, which outrebounded the Nets 44-28 in beating New Jersey for the second time this season. "Hopefully once you get one, the others are a little easier," said Portland coach Maurice Cheeks, who constantly reminded his team about the streak during timeouts. "This was one we needed desperately." Richard Jefferson had 24 points and Martin added 19 for New Jersey, which had a three-game overall winning streak and a six-game home streak snapped. The loss was only the third in 12 games for the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions, coming off road wins over Detroit and Indiana. "The odds were against us," Nets All-Star guard Jason Kidd said. "The deck was stacked. Sooner or later they were going to win one on the road. We were playing extremely well here at home. Tonight we just couldn't get it done." Portland used a 17-6 fourth-quarter run and a 14-7 edge on the boards to take control, with Wallace scoring six points and Ruben Patterson four. "We allowed them to shoot 51 percent and they outrebounded us by 16," Nets coach Byron Scott said. "You are going to have some tough nights to win games when you get outplayed in most of those areas." Coming off an embarrassing road loss at Cleveland on Sunday night, Portland had to sweat out the final minute after opening an 89-82 lead on a jumper by Randolph. Jefferson scored in transition and Kidd nailed a 3-pointer with 10.3 seconds to play to cut the lead to 89-87. Damon Stoudamire, only 2-of-11 from the field, was fouled on the inbounds play. He made both free throws with 8.7 seconds to go, and Kidd missed an off-balance 3-pointer on the Nets' next possession. Randolph got a sheepish smile on his face, realizing the road losing streak was over. Kidd, selected as the NBA player of the week for recording consecutive triple-doubles in the wins over the Pistons and Pacers, had 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. The Nets appeared headed for another win early in the third quarter when they opened a 12-point lead. A 10-point run led by Vladimir Stepania got Portland back in the game, and the Trail Blazers won it in the fourth quarter with their toughness on the boards and a defense which got the Nets into a halfcourt game. The Trail Blazers also lived up to their bad-boy image. Wallace got a foul and technical for shoving Jefferson and arguing the call. Randolph also got a technical later in the third quarter for shoving Martin after the Nets' forward was fouled on a drive. Notes: Earlier in the day, the Nets reached a contract agreement with former Seton Hall star Eddie Griffin. ... Portland starting C Dale Davis missed the game with back spasms. ... Nets backup C Aaron Williams missed his sixth straight game due to a pulled groin. ...Jefferson has scored 20 or more points in four straight games.
We needed this win. Prove to the haters that we can beat elite eastern teams. Hopefully this will clear up our ridiculous spot in many of the power rankings.
