Playoff-hopeful Nets host Trail Blazers

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Brooklyn Nets are getting closer to clinching a playoff spot, but were knocked off track the last time out.

The Nets are home the next three games and face a tough challenge versus the Portland Trail Blazers Monday at Barclays Center.

Brooklyn is seventh in the Eastern Conference standings, sitting a half-game ahead of Boston and 1 1/2 games in front of Indiana and Miami. Charlotte is only two games behind the Nets, who suffered a 131-99 beatdown in Atlanta Saturday night.

The Hawks shot 59.8 percent from the floor and made 17-of-33 3-pointers. Al Horford and DeMarre Carroll both scored 20 points for Atlanta, while Bojan Bogdanovic countered with 19 points off the bench for Brooklyn. Thaddeus Young and Jarrett Jack had 14 points apiece in the loss.

"If we move the ball like they move the ball, good things will happen," Young said.

The Nets had won six straight and 10 of 12 games.

Brooklyn will also host Atlanta and Washington on this homestand and is scheduled to play five of the last six games at home. The Nets are unbeaten in their last four home games and have a 16-20 record at Barclays Center.

Portland enters Monday's tilt in Brooklyn winners in two straight and six of the last seven games, including Saturday's 99-90 decision versus the New Orleans Pelicans.

LaMarcus Aldridge led the way with 21 points and 12 rebounds, Damian Lillard added nine of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and Chris Kaman provided 16 points and 11 boards off the bench. Portland, which ended the game on a 22-9 run in the final 8:24, shot 43 percent and had a 51-35 rebounding advantage.

"We just tightened things up," Lillard said. "We started to defend a lot better and play more physical. We executed really well."

The Blazers reached the 50-win mark for the 13th time in franchise history and notched their 17th win this season when trailing by double digits. They are 14 3-pointers away from tying the franchise record for most in a season (770, 2013-14).

The Trail Blazers are fourth in the Western Conference - 2 1/2 games behind Houston for the No. 2 spot - and are battling for homecourt advantage.

Portland is expected to rest Aldridge, Kaman and forward Nicolas Batum against the Nets, and has a 19-18 record away from Rip City. The Blazers will host Minnesota on Wednesday.

Monday's game between Portland and Brooklyn was made possible due to heavy snow in the New York area back on Jan. 26. The Blazers defeated the Nets, 97-87, on Nov. 15 at the Moda Center and Lillard poured in 28 points with 10 assists to lead the charge.

The Blazers have won three straight and 16 of the last 22 meetings between the teams.