Portland Trail Blazers Team Report - January 15

(Basketball News) - Portland is struggling with eight defeats in its last 10 games, including a 112-106 defeat to New Orleans on Friday night.

Damon Stoudamire scored a career-high 54 points to pace the Trail Blazers, who lost their fifth contest in six tries. Stoudamire shot 20-of-32 from the field, including 8-of-16 from beyond the arc, en route to the Blazers’ franchise best in points.

Nick Van Exel dished out 11 assists to go along with 23 points in the loss. The Blazers played without leading scorer Zach Randolph, who is suffering from a bone contusion in his right knee. Randolph is questionable for tonight’s game against Minnesota at the Target Center. Portland already has Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Darius Miles on the injured list.

The Blazers shot 49.4 percent from the field in the loss, but were outscored, 30-12, at the free throw line. Portland was also outrebounded, 46-30, in the contest.

Portland, which is in the midst of a season-long six-game road trip, has registered a 7-14 road mark this season.

Minnesota recorded a 100-89 victory over the Blazers at the Target Center on December 14. The Blazers have still won three of the last five meetings in this series. Nonetheless, Minnesota has taken nine of the last 15 contests in the set.