Sunday, Nov. 08, 2009

Minnesota Timberwolves (1-5) at Portland Trail Blazers (3-3), 9 p.m.

Portland hopes to build on an impressive win in its last outing when it shoots for a ninth consecutive win over a reeling Minnesota Timberwolves club at the Rose Garden.

Brandon Roy tallied a game-high 24 points, and Greg Oden held his own against Tim Duncan on Friday, as the Trail Blazers led wire-to-wire in a 96-84 victory over San Antonio.

Oden recorded 14 points, eight rebounds and four blocks for the Blazers, who have split their first six games of the season. Steve Blake ended with 15 points, while Andre Miller, starting for the first time as a Blazer, chipped in 10.

"It's a good win for us," Blazers head coach Nate McMillan said. "We're trying to find our rhythm. Tonight I felt like we had a good rhythm. The offensive execution, the movement, was better. We got the tempo we wanted."

The Wolves, meanwhile, dropped their fifth straight on Friday when Andrew Bogut had 17 points and 10 rebounds, as the Milwaukee Bucks took an 87-72 decision from Minnesota at Target Center.

Rookie star Jonny Flynn notched a game-high 20 points for Minnesota, which has lost five straight since winning its season opener.

"We weren't hitting shots tonight. There is going to be nights like that," said Flynn. "I think the defense has to step up, that let us down."

Corey Brewer had 13 points and was the only other T'Wolves player in double figures. Al Jefferson registered eight points and as many boards in the setback as the hosts doomed themselves with a poor 39.2 percent shooting effort.

Minnesota has also dropped seven straight in Portland but has been painfully close at times, losing five of those games by four points or less.