Trail Blazers trying to reach .500

On Tuesday, the Phoenix Suns attempt to get back on the winning track when they host the Trail Blazers at US Airways Center. It is the second meeting of the season between the squads. On November 26th, Raja Bell scored 30 points and reigning MVP Steve Nash had 23 points and 10 assists to lead the Suns over Portland, 119-101, at the Rose Garden.

The Suns have won three in a row and seven of the last eight contests against the Trail Blazers, who have lost four straight at Phoenix.

Portland had its season-best five-game winning streak halted on Friday at the Rose Garden. Rookie Andrea Bargnani drained a jumper with 3.5 seconds left in overtime to lift the Toronto Raptors past the Trail Blazers, 101-100.

Zach Randolph had 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists in the loss to Toronto for the Trail Blazers. Travis Outlaw scored 18 points and rookie Brandon Roy contributed 16 points, 10 boards and eight assists in defeat.

The Trail Blazers are 6-8 on the road this season. They return home to host the Hornets on Wednesday and the new-look Sixers on Friday. Portland defeated the Sixers, 81-79, on December 11th at the Wachovia Center and beat the Hornets, 92-91, on November 10th at the Rose Garden.

Portland is 4-2 when it scores 100 or more points this season. The Blazers are 1-14 when their opponent reaches the century mark.

Randolph leads the Trail Blazers in scoring (25.1 ppg) and rebounding (10.1 rpg). He has collected 15 double-doubles and has scored in double-digits in all 26 games he has played in.