Aldridge leads Spurs in Portland return

PORTLAND, Ore. – LaMarcus Aldridge scored 23 points in his return to Portland, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 113-101 victory over the Trail Blazers on Wednesday night (Thursday in Manila).

 

Aldridge, who played nine seasons in Portland before leaving as a free agent this summer, added six rebounds. Kawhi Leonard finished with 20 points for the Spurs, who won their third straight.

 

Damian Lillard led the Blazers with 22 points, including five 3-pointers, and nine assists. Portland has lost three straight.

 

The game marked Aldridge's first appearance in Portland since he signed a four-year deal worth $80 million with San Antonio in July.

 

Aldridge set franchise records for rebounds and double-doubles, while finishing second to Clyde Drexler in points. He was greeted by a mix of cheers and boos from the fans at the Moda Center.

 

He was among four starters that left the Blazers in the offseason, joining Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum and Robin Lopez. Lillard is the only starter left from that team, which went 51-31.

 

The Spurs finished the first quarter on a 14-4 run to take a 28-24 lead. It appeared at one point during the period that Lillard was having trouble with his right thumb.

 

Danny Green's 3-pointer gave San Antonio a 41-32 lead. Portland's Noah Vonleh was called for a foul on the shot, and Blazers coach Terry Stotts was given a technical for arguing the call.

 

The Spurs pushed the lead to 58-46 at the break.

 

Portland closed to within 64-62 on Al-Farouq Aminu's back-to-back 3-pointers midway through the third quarter, and Lillard's free throws tied the score at 66.

 

But the Blazers were stung in the ensuing moments when starting forward Meyers Leonard was whisked to the locker room with what turned out to be a dislocated left shoulder. He did not return.

 

Portland couldn't pull in front, and the Spurs pushed their lead to 97-87 on Aldridge's basket with 6:59 left.

 

TIP-INS

Spurs: The team arrived in Portland a day early and a group of players went sightseeing at Multnomah Falls, the largest waterfall in Oregon, located just east of Portland. Manu Ginobili posted pictures on Twitter.

 

Blazers: Gerald Henderson, who had hip surgery in the offseason, made his first appearance this season for the Blazers, early in the second half. He played 18 minutes, scoring 12 points. Lillard is the first Blazer with at least three 3-pointers in eight straight games since Damon Stoudamire over a 10-game stretch in 2005.

 

SIGHTINGS

Gary Payton, the former SuperSonics great who played at Oregon State, was at the game. Payton's son currently plays for the Beavers. Portland Timbers coach Caleb Porter was also at the game. The Timbers are in Major League Soccer's playoffs and set to host FC Dallas on Nov. 22 in the first of a two-match series with the winner advancing to the league championship game.

 

UP NEXT

Spurs will host Philadelphia on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), while the Trail Blazers visit Memphis on Friday night (Saturday in Manila).