Portland Trail Blazers Team Report - January 18

(Basketball News) - Portland fell to the Dallas Mavericks, 108-104, on Saturday in front of its home crowd.

Rasheed Wallace and Ruben Patterson each scored 24 points, as Portland fell for the eighth time in its last nine tries. In addition to his season-high point total, Patterson also grabbed 10 rebounds to record a double-double.

"It’s unfortunate. We’ve got to get over this hill. We stick together and we can do it," Blazers guard Derek Anderson explained of the team’s slump. "Its just a matter of fighting through these tough times."

Zach Randolph joined Patterson in the double-double category with 18 points and 10 boards. Wesley Person and Damon Stoudamire scored 12 and 11 points in the loss.

The Blazers visit the Phoenix Suns tonight.Portland, which has lost two straight and five of its last six on the road, is a brutal 2-15 as the visitor this season.

This is the third contest between the Blazers and Suns this season. The Blazers defeated Phoenix, 101-94, on December 18, 2003 at the Rose Garden, while the Suns knocked off Portland, 105-96, just three days ago at America West Arena.

The Suns have won four of their last six games with the Blazers, who have lost two straight and five of their last six at Phoenix.