Blazers return home to host Bobcats

This is the second meeting of the season between the clubs. On February 13th, Zach Randolph scored 10 of his 21 points down the stretch in the fourth quarter and also grabbed nine rebounds, as the Trail Blazers defeated the Bobcats, 91-83, at Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

Portland has won all three meetings between the clubs.

The Trail Blazers, who lost two in a row, return home after going a dismal 1-6 on a seven-game road trip. On Tuesday, Kobe Bryant finished with 27 points, six rebounds and five steals as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated Portland, 99-82, at the Staples Center.

Juan Dixon scored 16 points and dished out four assists, while Darius Miles ended with 13 points in the loss to the Lakers for Portland, which has lost 10 of its last 14 contests overall.

Portland is 12-13 as the host this season. The Trail Blazers, who have won six of their last nine at home, will also play the Celtics and Hornets on the current stand.

The Bobcats play the second of a six-game road trip. On Tuesday, Carmelo Anthony scored 24 points and Denver put together a big second half to register a 100-84 victory over Charlotte at the Pepsi Center.

Rookie Raymond Felton registered 14 points and 11 assists in the loss to the Nuggets for Charlotte, which has dropped 12 straight on the road and five in a row overall.

The Bobcats last road victory was a 93-90 win over the Atlanta Hawks on December 27, 2005 at Philips Arena.

Forward Gerald Wallace could be back in the lineup tonight for the Bobcats. Wallace has missed 15 straight games with a bone bruise in his left leg. He is averaging a team-best 14.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in 32 games played this season. The Alabama product last played on January 20th against the Orlando Magic.

Charlotte, which will also visit Phoenix, the Clippers, Utah and Dallas on the swing, is a dismal 4-23 on the road this season.