Portland Trail Blazers Team Report - February 11

(Basketball News) - The Portland Trail Blazers will try and get back on the winning track on Thursday when they welcome the upstart Denver Nuggets to the Rose Garden in the final game for both teams before this weekend’s All-Star break.

On Tuesday, the Blazers played their first game without Rasheed Wallace and found themselves on the wrong end of an 86-81 decision against the Utah Jazz.

Derek Anderson scored 21 points to lead the Trail Blazers, who had their three-game winning streak halted. Darius Miles added 19 and Damon Stoudamire had 18, as the post-Rasheed Wallace era began on a losing note.

Wallace and swingman Wesley Person were traded to Atlanta on Monday in exchange for forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim and center Theo Ratliff. The Blazers also got guard Dan Dickau in the deal.

None of the three new Trail Blazers dressed for Tuesday’s game, but all should be available tomorrow.

The Blazers have now lost five of their last seven home games.

Portland has lost twice already this season to the Nuggets, but could hold the upper hand tonight, as the home team in this series has won 11 of the last 14 meetings. The Blazers have also won five of their last seven and 14 of their last 17 at Portland against Denver.