Martell Webster scores 21 points, Trail Blazers hand Timberwolves 12th straight loss

Webster, Trail Blazers rout Timberwolves

PORTLAND, Ore. — Martell Webster had 21 points and 13 rebounds, Brandon Roy added 18 points, and the Portland Trail Blazers beat Minnesota 106-78 on Saturday night, handing the Timberwolves their 12th straight loss.

Greg Oden had 16 points, and Steve Blake had 14 points and nine assists for the Blazers, winners of 11 straight against Minnesota.

Minnesota hasn’t won since beating winless New Jersey in the season opener.

Portland rallied after falling behind early in the second half. Roy scored 11 points, and the Blazers went on a 16-0 run to open up the fourth. The Wolves managed just three field goals in the final quarter.

Al Jefferson led the Wolves with 20 points and 10 rebounds in his second game back with the team after the death of his grandmother. Oleksiy Pecherov had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

One night after the Portland’s uninspired play in a 108-94 loss to Golden State, coach Nate McMillan ditched the three-guard lineup he been used for the past nine games, starting Webster over Andre Miller. The move paid dividends, with Webster achieving season highs in points and rebounds and sparking the Blazers’ third-quarter rally by knocking down three consecutive 3-pointers.

The Blazers led 23-14 after the first quarter but made just six of 20 field goals in the second. The Wolves started the quarter with a 6-0 run and got to 37-34 on a jumper from Damien Wilkins. They trailed 40-37 at halftime.

The Wolves briefly led, going up 45-44 on a strong move inside by Ryan Hollins. Roy, who was 3-of-10 shooting in the first half, made all five of his shots in the third and the Blazers began to pull away.

The Wolves, whose only win came on opening night against winless New Jersey, are in the midst of their longest losing streak since they lost 13 in a row from Nov. 29 to Dec. 23. They have lost eight games in a row by more than 10 points.

Joel Przybilla had a season-high 14 points and 11 rebounds, and LaMarcus Aldridge added 10 points for the Blazers, who play their next three games at home.

NOTES: The Blazers are 32-10 at home against Minnesota. … The Wolves lost to Portland for the third time this season. Each of first two losses was by 23 points. … Minnesota made all 18 of its free-throw attempts.