LaMarcus Aldridge scored 20 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to their 18th win in the last 20 games with a 99-73 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Monday. Brandon Roy scored 16 points andJarrett Jack had 15.Travis Outlaw 13 and James Jones 10.Joel Przybilla had a game-high 12 rebounds to go along with nine points as Portland rebounded from a 116-109 double-overtime loss to the Raptors in Toronto on Sunday. Vince Carter and Jason Kidd each had 10 points.Aldridge hit a 19-foot jumper for the first points of the game and the Trail Blazers surged to an 8-1 lead. The Nets reserves provided a spark, opening the second quarter with an 8-2 run that trimmed the Trail Blazers lead to 27-20 as Bostjan Nachbar, Antoine Wright, Darrell Armstrong and Allen had the baskets.

Yesterday we witnessed a great tonight between the Suns and Spurs. Of course, both the teams haven’t been as dominant this year as some expected. Though the Spurs have to restrain their ardour because of the injuries to Tony Parker and Tim Duncan. Now, Duncan is back and Parker is on the shelf. Maybe because of that the Suns showed better results in that match-up. Let’s see what will be next.

If the Seattle SuperSonics do not stop their losing streak that has already grew to 8 games after Tuesday’s 103-76 loss to the Orlando Magic, tonight in Miami, then there appears to be no end to their suffering in the nearest future. Seattle’s string of consecutive defeats is tied for 4th longest in team history, it’s the longest in franchise history to start a new season. After trading Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen, their leading scorers in the offseason, the SuperSonics were expected to struggle harder this season.

Houston Rockets star center Yao Ming came to the team’s video room with a special request. The player wanted a DVD featuring every highlight from Yi Jianlian’s brief career. Today night, Yao Ming will finally get a closer look at China’s NBA next big thing. Before what is expected to be one of the largest TV audiences in the history of NBA, Yao Ming will play against Yi Jianlian for the first time in the NBA, when the Bucks visit Toyota Center. The two basketball stars will be the first Chinese players to match up against each other since Zhizhi from Dallas played against Bateer from Denver in 2002. But apparently, Yao vs. Yi has a bit more intrigue.

Boston put on a precision clinic at both ends of the court yesterday night that left the Nuggets helpless.

Pierce scored twenty-six points, newcomers Garnett had twenty-three points and thirteen rebounds while Allen finished with twenty-two points as the unbeaten Boston (3-0) rocked visiting Denver 119-92.

After watching his team shoot a torrid 64.5 % from the floor Boston head coach Doc Rivers said there was nothing to complain about. The team came out ready to play and they played well.

Despite their 2nd straight home victory, Boston thinks they can play much better. Pierce said they were just scratching the surface of where they can be. The player sees a lot of positives, but they are by far nowhere near where they want to be, however, they are getting better every day.

Allen Iverson led the Nuggets (2-3) with 22 points, but Carmelo Anthony was held to just 11.

Playing unselfishly, the Celtics came out of the gate fast and never let up against Denver, who dropped a 119-112 decision in NYC 2 days ago.

Ahead 38-22 after 1, the lead ballooned to 77-38 by halftime as Boston shot a blistering 72 % from the field (31-of-43) behind Pierce’s twenty points, while Garnett and Allen added fourteen and thirteen, respectively.

The Boston Celtics got the early lead and never looked back. With Denver offering little resistance, Boston continued the onslaught as the gap swelled to 91-50 on Garnett’s dunk late in the 3rd quarter before coasting to the emphatic win.

Elsewhere Utah 103, Cleveland 101 Speedy Williams drove the length of the court and scooped in a driving layup with 1.3 seconds remaining, lifting Utah to the dramatic home court win over Cleveland.

NBA Player of the Week honors went Tracy McGrady, the Houston Rockets star, and Danny Granger, the Indiana Pacers forward. Tracy McGrady was honored after he averaged 4.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 32.3 points on 50.0 shooting, leading the Houston Rockets to a 3-0 mark. Eastern Conference honors went to Danny Granger. The player averaged 8.7 rebounds and 22.7 points in helping the Indiana Pacers to a 3-0 week.

J.J. Barea made the most of his 1st league start, shooting 9-for-11 for a career-high twenty-five points and leading the Dallas Mavericks past the Kings 123-102 Saturday night in Dallas. Dallas had 101 points by the end of the 3rd quarter and threatened the record of the franchise for shooting accuracy. They finished 45-for-69 for 65.2%, just shy of their best-ever mark of 67.7 set twenty-four years ago. Martin led Sacramento with 28 points, but Sacramento dropped to 0-3 with Bibby injured and Artest suspended.