The Portland Trail Blazers led by as many as 21 points, but the Toronto Raptors used a 28-point third quarter to make it a game. But, behind LaMarcus Aldridge's first career 30 point, 20 rebound game, Portland held on for a 94-84 victory in Toronto Friday night.
It was the first 20/20 game by a Blazers player since Zach Randolph did it way back in 2003. Aldridge also became the first Blazer since Randolph in 2003 to record 20 points and 10 rebounds in the first half of a game.
It was just the seventh time in Portland history that a player has recorded a 30/20 game. Aldridge joined Leroy Ellis (1971), Sidney Wicks (1972), Bill Walton (1976), and Maurice Lucas (1977, 1977).
In addition, he became the first Trail Blazer in franchise history to record 33 points and 23 rebounds in a single game. And he kept the game ball for good measure.
Aldridge is making a push for his first career All-Star appearance and is being considered for the U.S. Olympic roster. Entering Friday night's contest, he was averaging a career-high 22.5 points per game to go along with 8.2 boards per game through 14 games.
Aldridge finished the night with 33 points on 12-25 shooting, 23 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Portland also got a huge 3rd quarter from Raymond Felton, who scored 10 points on 4-5 shooting to keep the Blazers in the lead. Felton finished with 14 points and 5 assists.
Portland is now 9-6 to start the season, and the Raptors fell to 4-12. The Blazers next play Saturday night in Detroit to end their 6-game road trip. Then they'll return to the Rose Garden and kick off back-to-back games against Sacramento and Memphis.
© 2011 Max Price - All Rights Reserved.
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