Miller scores 21 as Blazers rout Timberwolves

Miller leads Blazers to rout of Timberwolves

PORTLAND, Ore. — Andre Miller scored 21 points, and LaMarcus Aldridge and Travis Outlaw each had 19 as Portland built a big first-half lead and beat Minnesota 116-93 Sunday night.

Miller, acquired last summer by Portland, scored 12 points during the third quarter. Aldridge, who had only 12 free throw attempts during the Trail Blazers’ first six games, was 9-for-9, and also grabbed 10 rebounds. Outlaw scored 12 of his 19 points during the second half.

Portland (4-3) won its second consecutive game and moved to within a game of first-place Denver in the Pacific Division. Minnesota (1-6) dropped its sixth consecutive game. The Timberwolves have lost nine straight games to the Blazers, and eight consecutive in Portland.

The Blazers won big without much offensive input from Brandon Roy, who came into the game averaging 25.2 points. He scored two points against Minnesota, his lowest output since Nov. 10, 2006, when he failed to score in seven minutes against New Orleans.

Roy had six rebounds and seven assists in 26 minutes of play. Joel Przybilla led Portland with 13 rebounds.

Minnesota had five players score in double figures. Nathan Jawai led the way with 16 points. Ryan Gomes scored 15 points, while Al Jefferson had 12 points and 10 points for the Timberwolves.

Portland dominated the first half, after getting off to a slow start. The Blazers made one of their first five shots, then hit 12 of 14 from the field to finish the first quarter to take a 33-24 lead. Portland widened its lead by halftime to 62-45 as Aldridge scored 10 points during the second quarter, eight from the free throw line.

Minnesota closed to 78-63 on Corey Brewer’s 3-pointer with four minutes remaining in the third quarter. But Portland responded when Travis Outlaw and Martell Webster hit 3-pointers to help the Blazers finish the period on a 14-4 run and a 92-67 lead.

NOTES: Minnesota forward Kevin Love graduated from Lake Oswego High School, a Portland suburb. Love is sidelined for approximately four more weeks with a broken hand he sustained during the preseason. … Portland starts a five-game, seven-day road trip Tuesday in Memphis. … Minnesota has failed to score at least 100 points in its past 11 games against Portland. … Flynn, a rookie, has scored double figures in each of Minnesota’s seven games.