PORTLAND — Wesley Matthews was kind of taken aback when he was told that Portland’s last three-game winning streak came in the Trail Blazers’ first three games of last season.
The Blazers had been unable to string a trio of wins together since then until Sunday night, when they beat the Chicago Bulls 102-94.
“It feels good, getting our juices going, our confidence going," said Matthews, who had 21 points. “We’re finally playing like a team that knows how to win."
The other two wins, a 103-89 victory at Sacramento before a 119-117 overtime victory over Houston at the Rose Garden on Friday, came after a three-game losing streak.
As for it being the longest winning streak since the Blazers opened last season with three wins, Matthews shook his head. Portland finished the lockout season 28-39, capped by a seven-game losing streak.
“Last season was such a debacle," he said. “I don’t want to talk about it for the rest of my life."
Nicolas Batum also scored 21 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 18 points and 13 rebounds as all of Portland’s starters were in double figures.
After trailing by as many as 15 in the third quarter, the Bulls came back to tie it at 73 early in the fourth. But Portland pulled back in front 87-75 on Matthews’ pull-up jumper with 5:04 left.
Matthews appeared to seal it with a 3-pointer that made it 93-81 with 1:26 left, but Nate Robinson hit a 3 to narrow it to 98-94 with 13.9 seconds to go. Batum and Aldridge each hit a pair of free throws and rookie Damian Lillard dunked to help the Blazers hang on.
Joakim Noah had 16 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists for Chicago, which lost its second straight after falling 101-80 to the Clippers in Los Angeles on Saturday night. The Bulls (5-5) had not lost two straight this season.
Portland improved to 5-5 in coach Terry Stotts’ first season with the team.
“It’s good to be .500, but we didn’t go into the game saying ‘Let’s be .500,’" Stotts said. “The important thing is winning at home and playing well. The record takes care of itself."
Chicago pulled ahead 30-23 with about 10 seconds left in the first quarter on Luol Deng’s layup. Matthews’ pullup jumper tied it at 32 before Aldridge made a jumper to put the Blazers in front.
Batum’s dunk with 3:59 left in the half gave Portland a 43-39 lead. The Blazers went on to lead 51-43 at the break. Batum opened the second half with a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 54-43. Another Batum 3 put Portland ahead 61-47 and yet another one made it 67-53.
Taj Gibson got the Bulls within 69-64 with a layup with 2:31 left in the quarter. Chicago pulled even closer on Deng’s layup to open the final quarter, then evened it at 73 as Gibson made a layup and a free throw.
Ronnie Price’s long jumper prevented the Bulls from taking the lead, and Batum’s 3-pointer and Price’s layup extended it. Price also hit a free throw, making him the first Blazers reserve to score in double digits this season.
Price, who has been hampered this season by a right ankle injury, finished with 10 points and five assists.Lillard finished with 16 points and J.J. Hickson had 10.
Also on Sunday:
Lakers 119
Rockets 108
LOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant had 22 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists for his 18th career triple-double, and revitalized Los Angeles ran past Houston for its fourth victory in five games since firing coach Mike Brown. Dwight Howard had 28 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers.
Thunder 119
Warriors 109
OKLAHOMA CITY — Kevin Durant notched his first career triple-double with 25 points, 13 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists to lead Oklahoma City past Golden State.
Knicks 88
Pacers 76
NEW YORK — Carmelo Anthony had 26 points and nine rebounds to help New York bounce back from its first loss of the season with a win over Indiana.
Nets 99
Kings 90
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Reserve forward Andray Blatche scored 22 points to lead Brooklyn over Sacramento for its fifth straight win.
Raptors 97
Magic 86
TORONTO — DeMar DeRozan scored 20 points and Amir Johnson had 14 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter to lead Toronto over slumping Orlando.
76ers 86
Cavaliers 79
PHILADELPHIA — Evan Turner had 19 points and nine assists to lead Philadelphia over reeling Cleveland.
Pistons 103
Celtics 83
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Greg Monroe had 20 points and 13 rebounds, Jason Maxiell added 15 points and Detroit beat Boston for its first home win of the season.
