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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Roy rules Sonics

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

Brandon Roy had 19 points and a career-high 14 rebounds, LaMarcus Aldridge added 18 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks, and the Portland Trail Blazers stopped their five-game losing streak with a 92-88 win over the Seattle SuperSonics on Thursday night at Portland.

Kevin Durant had 20 points to lead the Sonics, who will host Portland tonight at Key Arena. Earl Watson added 15 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.

Travis Outlaw had 19 points for the Blazers, who improved to 20-8 at the Rose Garden this season.

Nick Collison scored on a tip-in to get Seattle within 89-86 with 30.4 seconds left.

After Aldridge made 1 of 2 free throws for the Blazers, Damien Wilkens dunked on the other end with 7.7 seconds left. But Jarrett Jack, who had 15 for Portland, sealed the win with two free throws.

The Blazers had fallen five games out of the Western Conference’s final playoff spot with their fifth straight loss against Sacramento on Tuesday.

Roy had missed practice Wednesday because of a viral chest infection and a minor ankle injury. He struggled against the Sonics, going 2 of 8 from the field in the second half and going scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Collison had 13 points and 14 rebounds for the Sonics. Jeff Green added 13 points and nine rebounds.

Steve Blake hit a 3-pointer at 2:02 in the second quarter to put Portland up 47-39. Roy scored on a give-and-go with Jack to take the lead to double digits just before halftime.

Spurs 100, Timberwolves 99: At Minneapolis, Manu Ginobili hit a jumper from the top of the key with 6.2 seconds left for the last of his 44 points, leading San Antonio to its fourth straight win with a victory over Minnesota.

Ginobili dribbled behind his back and rose up over Randy Foye on the winning shot.

Minnesota had a chance win, but Sebastian Telfair’s long jumper clanked around the rim and out as the buzzer sounded.

Ginobili had 19 points in the second quarter, hitting six straight 3-pointers in the final 6:33 of the period. He also scored 10 of San Antonio’s first 14 points in the fourth quarter.

Rockets 112, Heat 100: At Houston, Tracy McGrady scored 23 points, Yao Ming added 21 and the Rockets won their 10th straight game, sending Miami to its 10th straight loss.

Houston has won 14 of its last 15 games and the winning streak is its longest since the championship season of 1993-94 when the team opened with 15 straight.

The Heat got 33 points from Dwyane Wade.

Deadline deals

Wrapping up a wild trading season, the Hornets acquired Bonzi Wells and Mike James from Houston, adding depth to their bench for the stretch run. New Orleans dealt Bobby Jackson to the Rockets, where he was reunited with Rick Adelman, his old coach in Sacramento. Adam Haluska also went to Houston in the deal, which also included Memphis. … The Toronto Raptors acquired center Primoz Brezec and cash from the Detroit Pistons for guard Juan Dixon. … The Minnesota Timberwolves traded seldom-used swingman Gerald Green to Houston for shooting guard Kirk Snyder. … The Trail Blazers acquired guard Von Wafer from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for guard Taurean Green.