Portland Trail Blazers Team Report - March 30

(Basketball News) - The playoff hopeful Trail Blazers suffered a tough 92-91 loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Monday night.

The defeat dropped Portland, which has qualified for the playoffs each of the last 21 years, one-half game behind Utah in the playoff picture. Portland is knotted with Denver for the ninth slot.

Damon Stoudamire led the Trail Blazers with 20 points in the defeat. Zach Randolph added 19 points and Derek Anderson chipped in 16, but it was not enough to get Portland back on the winning track on the road. Darius Miles had 10 points in the setback.

The Blazers blocked 10 shots in the contest, with Theo Ratliff leading the way with six. Ratliff also posted eight points and six rebounds in the losing effort.

The Blazers kicked off a three-game road trip with the loss — their fifth in seven games away from home.

Portland has a day to rest before heading to Boston to take on the Celtics at the FleetCenter. The Blazers are just 13-23 on the road this season.

Portland’s trip will also include a contest in Philly Thursday. On Saturday, the Blazers will return home to face New Orleans.