Bulls resume swing in Portland

This is the first of two meetings between the clubs this season. The Bulls are scheduled to host the Trail Blazers on March 26th at the Rose Garden.

Chicago has lost six of seven and eight of its last 12 at Portland. The Bulls have won three of the four contests in the series.

The Bulls are 1-1 on the swing. On Friday, Andres Nocioni scored five of his 14 points in the final two minutes to lift Chicago over the Seattle SuperSonics, 107-101, at KeyArena.

Luol Deng scored 27 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in the win over Seattle for the Bulls, who won for the fourth time in five games overall. Kirk Hinrich added 20 points and dished out nine assists, while Chris Duhon contributed 16 points.

Chicago is 7-14 on the road this season. The Bulls will also visit Utah, Sacramento, Golden State and Phoenix on the current road trip.

Portland opens a short two-game homestand. Steve Blake scored eight of his 19 points in overtime as the Denver Nuggets outlasted the Trail Blazers, 114-107, in the second game of a home-and-home set at the Pepsi Center.

Zach Randolph tallied 25 points and nine rebounds in the loss to Denver for the Trail Blazers, who lost for the seventh straight time in the Mile High City. Rookie Brandon Roy contributed 22 points and 11 assists, while Juan Dixon had 21 points for Portland.

The Trail Blazers are 12-12 at home this season. They will host Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday at the Rose Garden.