Blazers start six-game road trip

Minneapolis, MN (Basketball News) - The Portland Trail Blazers start a six- game road trip tonight, as they visit Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center.

The Blazers will also visit the Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks on the current swing. Portland is 3-6 on the road this season.

On Sunday, Zach Randolph had 23 points and seven rebounds to lead the Trail Blazers to a 98-88 win over the Utah Jazz at the Rose Garden. Damon Stoudamire added 15 points and seven assists for the Blazers, who avenged a loss at Utah on Friday night to complete this home-and-home set. Derek Anderson also had 15 points, as Portland won for the second time in three outings.

Portland coach Maurice Cheeks was fined $7,500 by the league on Monday for his behavior during Friday’s 92-87 overtime loss at Utah. Cheeks failed to leave the court in a timely manner following the Trail Blazers’ 92-87 setback to the Jazz at the Delta Center.

Randolph has scored more than 20 points in four straight games. He is averaging 23 points and 10.3 rebounds per contest.

The Timberwolves come into tonight’s contest off a shocking loss. Minnesota lost to the Chicago Bulls, 99-88, on Saturday at the United Center.

Minnesota wasted a strong performance by Garnett, who netted 16 and grabbed a season-high 21 boards in the loss to Chicago. Sam Cassell added 17 and Eddie Griffin scored 14 for the Timberwolves, who had their brief two-game winning streak snapped.

Garnett has averaged 24.1 points and 14.9 rebounds in his last 10 contests.

The Timberwolves are 5-3 as the host this season.

In 2003-04, the Blazers won three of four from the Timberwolves. Overall, Portland has won two straight, while the Timberwolves have won four of the last seven contests overall. The Trail Blazers have won three of its last five at Minnesota.