Basketball: Portland 109 Sacramento 91

LaMarcus Aldridge helped Portland close the first half strong Wednesday and the Trail Blazers coasted from there to defeat Sacramento 109-91. Portland won for the sixth time in seven games and avenged a 12-point loss to the Kings in Sacramento last Sunday. Aldridge scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Portland handed the Kings their 12th loss in 13 road games. The Trail Blazers led by only five midway through the second period, but by halftime the lead had grown to 18. Nicolas Batum contributed 18 points for Portland and both J.J. Hickson and Damian Lillard had 17. Portland made half its field goal attempts and pulled down 18 more rebounds than did the Kings. Sacramento was led by 19 points from John Salmons.