Basketball: Portland 101 New Jersey 88

LaMarcus Aldridge led Portland with 24 points Wednesday and the Trail Blazers went on a late run to down New Jersey 101-88. Portland owned a 16-point lead in the third period but the Nets rallied to move in front by one with 6:33 to play in the final quarter. The Trail Blazers then closed the game on a 17-3 outburst to move within 3 1/2 games of the final post-season spot in the Western Conference. Nicolas Batum added 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Trail Blazers. Batum made four of Portland's 12 field goals from 3-point range, which were produced on 24 attempts. Kyle Humphries scored 21 points for New Jersey while both Gerald Green and Anthony Morrow had 20 points off the bench.