RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Portland forward Rasheed Wallace
got another quick technical foul, but it was New Jersey coach Byron
Scott who got the worst from an officiating crew with a zero
tolerance policy for backtalk.
| | New Jersey's Kenyon Martin comes from behind to block a shot by Portland's Dale Davis. |
Wallace had 16 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks and yet another
blemish on his behavioral record Monday night as the Trail Blazers
began their seven-game, 10-day road trip with a 94-82 victory over
the Nets.
"I was surprised at Rasheed's technical," Blazers coach Mike
Dunleavy said. "But I'd be surprised, too, if I was Byron."
Scott drew two quick technicals and an automatic ejection from
referee Derrick Stafford just moments after Wallace was tagged with
his sixth technical of the season.
The Blazers started steadily pulling away after Scott was tossed
and went on to their fourth consecutive victory as they started their
mega-mile road trip up and down the East Coast.
Next up is a game at Atlanta, then trips to Toronto, Miami,
Orlando, Washington and Milwaukee.
"If you play in the Northwest, they give you the worst travel
schedule," Portland's Greg Anthony said. "It's a tough trip, but
that's why this game was so important for us to keep up our
momentum."
Wallace, who set an NBA record with 38 technical fouls last
season, picked up another from referee Bernie Fryer for arguing a
non-call when he thought he was fouled.
"For the amount of contact there was on that play -- there was a
definite collision -- that's honestly a time when the refs have to
realize that a player is going to have a response," Dunleavy said.
Wallace refused to discuss the game with reporters afterward.
Stephon Marbury hit the technical free throw to make it 61-57,
but Scott was ejected just 26 seconds later.
"I said a few things, but I don't think there was anything I
said that I should have been ejected for," said Scott, who engaged
the officiating crew in a brief staredown as the teams left the
court at halftime "He (Stafford) seemed ticked off from the time
he stepped on the court. After the first tech he said something to
me, and I said something I shouldn't have.
"After I got the two techs the whole complexion of the game
changed, I take full responsibility," Scott said.
Two foul shots by Steve Smith for the technicals made it 63-57,
and Portland's lead was up to 77-68 entering the fourth.
Marbury hit a 3-pointer early in the fourth but then went to the
bench for a brief rest with the Nets trailing 77-73, and it was
80-73 by the time he returned two minutes later.
Wallace blocked Marbury's next shot, and Marbury's next attempt
clanged off the back of the rim. Bonzi Wells followed with a jumper
for a 10-point lead, and a jumper by Anthony and two free throws by
Wells completed a 10-0 run that put the game out of reach.
Smith scored 17 points, Wells and Shawn Kemp had 15 each and
Dale Davis added 12 points and 17 rebounds.
Marbury led the Nets with 24 points, ending his streak of
scoring at least 30 points at five games. Rookie Kenyon Martin
added 18 points, eight rebounds and five blocks.
The Blazers pushed the ball upcourt at every opportunity in the
first quarter and scored repeatedly in transition, opening a 31-12
lead on Wells' fastbreak layup with 1:22 left.
The Nets fought back in the second quarter behind reserve
forward Aaron Williams, who had eight points and nine rebounds in
the period as New Jersey drew to 52-48 by halftime.
Game notes Davis also picked up a technical in the third quarter for
spiking the ball. ... The Blazers expect to activate Arvydas
Sabonis sometime during the road trip. The center is almost fully
recovered from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. ... The
longest road trip in Blazers' history was an eight-game trip during
their championship season of 1976-77.
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Portland Clubhouse
New Jersey Clubhouse
RECAPS
Portland 94 New Jersey 82
Dallas 90 LA Clippers 76
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