Trail Blazers 122, Warriors 100

By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Another round of distractions didn't deter the Portland Trail Blazers from another victory over the Golden State Warriors.

Rasheed Wallace scored 18 of his 28 points in a brilliant third quarter as the Blazers held onto fourth place in the Western Conference, beating the Warriors 122-100 Friday night.

Derek Anderson had a season-high 31 points and a career-high 14 rebounds as Portland won for the third time in four games. The Blazers won 14 of their last 16 against their Pacific Division rival, including all four games this season against the much-improved Warriors.

Of course, the Blazers had to do it without Zach Randolph, who finished his two-game suspension for punching teammate Ruben Patterson in the face earlier in the week. Last week, rookie Qyntel Woods was cited for marijuana possession. A few days earlier, Wallace settled marijuana-related charges against him.

Despite the latest controversies in their tumultuous season, the Blazers (47-28) moved a half-game ahead of idle Minnesota (47-29) in the conference standings and they still don't understand why there's such a fuss every time their drama-filled season takes another turn.

``To us, it's everyday life,'' said Bonzi Wells, who had 17 points. ``Things happen with everybody. The media tries to blow things up like we're out there killing each other. We're family. We're all brothers. ... We're a family, and we're still going to try to win this thing.''

The Blazers scorched the NBA's worst defensive team, shooting 54 percent in the first half before making a long succession of dunks and open 3-pointers after halftime. Anderson hit six 3-pointers most without a defender in sight.

Wallace made seven straight shots in the second half, closing the third quarter with a dramatic, one-handed alley-oop dunk as Portland broke open a close game with a 20-3 run.

``He looked like he wanted the ball, and we tried to put it into his hands,'' coach Maurice Cheeks said of Wallace, who rarely speaks to reporters. ``He got us going, scoring down low.''

The Timberwolves visit the Blazers on Sunday.

Jason Richardson had 24 points for the Warriors, who lost their third in a row. It was Golden State's first home game since March 23, played in front of a near-sellout crowd at The Arena, but the Warriors didn't seem to draw any energy from their enthusiastic fans.

``We have to win every game for the rest of the year to try to make the playoffs, and we come out and get beat by 20 at home that's embarrassing,'' said Troy Murphy, who had 12 points and nine rebounds.

Bob Sura scored 16 points for Golden State, but leading scorer Antawn Jamison had just 12 points and Gilbert Arenas 11. The Warriors are four games behind Phoenix for the final playoff spot in the West, with Houston and Seattle also ahead of them in the standings.

Coach Eric Musselman saw a slip in focus over the last few days, despite his nonstop motivational ploys, as well as the chance to contend for a playoff berth or to finish at .500 for the first time since 1994.

``We're paid to play 82 games and to practice during that time to be professionals,'' Musselman said. ``Practices have not been good. It's something we still have time to address.''

At least the Warriors aren't punching each other in practice.

Randolph, who also missed Thursday's loss to Utah, was fined $100,000 in the Blazers' latest embarrassing escapade.< ^Notes:@ It was the teams' first meeting at The Arena since Portland's 113-111 victory on Dec. 20, in a game marred by a fight after Wallace's game-winning jumper at the buzzer. ... Jamison had a season-high six assists. ... There were 14 lead changes in the first quarter. ... Wells took a scary fall in the second quarter when he jumped over Dunleavy to try for a rebound. He stayed in the game.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)