Red-hot Blazers beat struggling Hornets
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Charlotte, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - Wesley Matthews had 28 points and the red- hot Portland Trail Blazers used a strong second half to beat the struggling Charlotte Hornets, 105-97, on Wednesday.
Damian Lillard added 22 points and seven assists for the Blazers, who have won nine in a row. Robin Lopez tallied 15 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.
"It's not getting any easier," said Matthews. "The rest of the (Western Conference) isn't doing us any favors. They don't care that we're on this little streak right now. They're continuing to play good basketball and we just have to continue to get better."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Brian Roberts ended with a career-high 24 points off the bench for the Hornets, who have lost seven straight. Al Jefferson donated 21 points and 14 boards.
Charlotte fell to 4-12.
"It's only 16 games," said Jefferson. "November is a tough month for us. We knew that going in. It's going to get better. We're fighting and competing every night, we just have to finish games."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Kemba Walker and Gerald Henderson each had 15 points for Charlotte, which lost forward Marvin Williams to a left shoulder strain.
Henderson opened the second half with a jumper to give Charlotte a 58-45 lead. However, the Blazers responded with a 16-5 run to get within 63-61 with 6:39 left in the third quarter.
Trailing 69-66 moments later, Portland used a 12-2 surge to take the lead for good. LaMarcus Aldridge capped the burst with a short jumper to make it 78-71, and the Blazers eventually took a three-point lead into the fourth.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Holding an 81-79 lead, Portland went on a 15-3 run to put the game away. Lillard and Matthews tallied seven and six points, respectively, during the spurt that Chris Kaman capped with a jumper for a 96-82 edge.
The Blazers outscored the Hornets by a 60-41 margin in the second half.
Portland started the game on a 13-4 run and led 28-26 after 12 minutes of action.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Charlotte responded with a strong second quarter, as the home team scored the final eight points of the frame to take a 56-45 lead.
Game Notes
Portland is 10-1 when scoring 100-plus points and 7-0 against Eastern Conference opponents ... Hornets guard P.J. Hairston returned to the lineup after missing four games with an ankle injury. He ended with three points.