Blazers defeat Nuggets 101-93 for 4th straight win

Denver went 0-for-22 from the 3-point line and Portland took full advantage in a 101-93 victory Thursday night at the Rose Garden. The Nuggets shattered the NBA mark for futility the Blazers set 10 days earlier by going 0-for-20 in a 92-74 win over Toronto. Nicolas Batum scored 11 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and Portland (12-12) held off a Denver rally to record its fourth straight win, all in the midst of a six-game homestand.

J.J. Hickson collected 18 points and 18 rebounds for his sixth straight double-double and 14th of the season for the Blazers, who led the entire way. They won without the services of leading scorer LaMarcus Aldridge, sidelined by a sprained ankle, getting 20 points from Wesley Matthews and 12 points and 10 assists from rookie point guard Damian Lillard.

Andre Iguodala, Ty Lawson and Corey Brewer scored 13 points apiece and Andre Miller came off the bench for 12 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for Denver (14-13), which saw an end to its three-game win streak.