Portland Trail Blazers Team Report - February 18

(Basketball News) - The Portland Trail Blazers will try and get back on the winning track tonight when they welcome the Los Angeles Clippers to the Rose Garden.

Portland found itself on the wrong end of an 89-86 decision to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. Ruben Patterson scored 17 points off the bench for the Trail Blazers, who fell for just the fourth time in their last 11 games.

The game was knotted at 86-86, but Bryant drove through the lane and scored on a layup and the Lakers held on for the victory.

In his second game as a Blazer, Shareef Abdur-Rahim missed a jumper on the ensuing possession and Portland was forced to foul Bryant, who made one of two free throws with seven seconds left.

The Blazers had one more chance, but Damon Stoudamire missed a three with a second to play to seal the win for LA.

Portland has dropped two straight and six of its last eight games at home and is 16-10 in its arena this season.

The Blazers fell to the Clippers earlier in the season, but could have the advantage tonight, as the home team in this series has won 11 of the last 13 meetings. Portland has also won eight of the last 11 overall matchups in the series.