PORTLAND — The Portland Trail Blazers wanted to put Sunday’s loss to Sacramento behind them as quickly as possible.
LaMarcus Aldridge had 28 points and 12 rebounds, and the Blazers beat the Kings 109-91 Wednesday night to earn their revenge.
“The way we played (three) days ago wasn’t us," said Nicolas Batum, who had 18 points for Portland. “We wanted to get back on track against this team. It was so good to beat them in a big way."
J.J. Hickson added 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Blazers, who built a double-digit lead in the second quarter and then ran away from the Kings, leading by as many as 26 points. Rookie point guard Damian Lillard had 17 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds.
John Salmons led the Kings with 19 points. Reserve Isaiah Thomas had 12 points and Jason Thompson added 11. The Kings are 1-12 on the road this season — the only win coming Dec. 8 against the Blazers.
Portland has won nine of its past 10 games at home. The Blazers tied up the season series with the Kings after losing to them 108-96 on Sunday in Sacramento, which snapped the Blazers’ five-game winning streak. Sacramento shot 56 percent from the field in that game, but after a good start Wednesday, went cold and shot just 40 percent for the game.
“We knew we got away from it in Sacramento," Lillard said. “We focused more on defense. The last game, we just lost it. They took us to the rim and got what they wanted on offense. We just had to make a point to play better defense."
Sacramento took a pounding in the post without leading scorer and rebounder DeMarcus Cousins, who did not make the trip despite being reinstated from an indefinite suspension.
Cousins had been suspended after an argument with coach Keith Smart during halftime of a game Friday. Cousins missed Sunday’s game, but practiced Monday after the suspension was lifted. Still, Smart chose to keep him at home Wednesday. Without him, the Kings were outrebounded 53-35.
“Obviously, everyone played well at home and we didn’t have that tonight," Smart said. “They rebounded the ball well and got out on the fast break."
The Blazers took a 62-44 lead into halftime after an electrifying first half in which they shot 57 percent. The game was tied at 37 in the second quarter, but Sacramento’s turnovers and defensive breakdowns allowed Portland to go on a 25-7 run into halftime, punctuated by rim-shaking dunks by Hickson, Lillard and rookie center Meyers Leonard.
“They just got going and it’s hard to stop a team that gets it going at home," Thomas said. “Especially when they have shooters and guys that can go to the hole and dunk."
Also on Wednesday:
Heat 105
Bobcats 92
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — LeBron James had 27 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, and Miami handed Charlotte its 16th straight loss. Dwyane Wade scored 29 points and had nine rebounds as Miami extended its winning streak to six. Kemba Walker had 27 points for the Bobcats, who haven’t won since Nov. 24.
Hornets 97
Magic 94
ORLANDO, Fla. — Robin Lopez had a season-high 29 points, and Greivis Vasquez scored a season-best 27 as New Orleans snapped an 11-game losing streak with a victory over Orlando. The Magic had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds, but came up empty on a 3-point attempt by Nikola Vucevic. Jameer Nelson had 28 points and 10 rebounds for Orlando.
Nuggets 126
Lakers 114
DENVER — Corey Brewer matched his career high with 27 points, and Denver overcame a 40-point effort by Kobe Bryant to beat Los Angeles for its seventh straight win at home. Bryant, who scored at least 40 points for the 116th time in his career, has netted at least 30 in 10 straight games. Kenneth Faried had 21 points and 15 rebounds for Denver.
Knicks 99
Suns 97
PHOENIX — J.R. Smith sank a baseline 21-footer at the buzzer after a Phoenix turnover with a second to play, giving depleted New York a victory over the Suns. Smith’s tough jumper from 15 feet had tied it at 97 with 10.6 seconds left. Smith scored 27. Jared Dudley had a career-high 36 for Phoenix.
Cavaliers 87
Wizards 84
WASHINGTON — Tristan Thompson’s three-point play with 24.4 seconds remaining gave Cleveland a victory over Washington and its first two-game winning streak of the season. Kyrie Irving had 26 points to lead Cleveland.
Hawks 126
Pistons 119
ATLANTA — Josh Smith scored 31 points, Al Horford added 22, and Atlanta beat Detroit in double overtime. The Hawks blew a 22-point, fourth-quarter lead as Detroit reserves Will Bynum and Charlie Villanueva scored a combined 26 points in the final period of regulation. Bynum finished with 31 points.
Rockets 87
Timberwolves 84
MINNEAPOLIS — James Harden scored 17 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, and Houston rallied to win its fifth straight, topping Minnesota. Harden’s drive to the basket gave Houston (16-12) an 85-84 lead with 39 seconds left. He drove again to make it a three-point lead with 11.7 seconds to go and scored 15 of the Rockets’ final 17 points.
76ers 99
Grizzlies 89
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Dorell Wright scored 28 points, and Spencer Hawes had 20, season-highs for both, and Philadelphia snapped a six-game road losing streak with a victory over Memphis. Zach Randolph led the Grizzlies with 23 points and nine rebounds. Memphis played without leading scorer Rudy Gay, who was out because of “personal reasons."
Bucks 108
Nets 93
MILWAUKEE — Brandon Jennings scored 25 points, Monta Ellis added 20 points and a season-high six steals, and Milwaukee beat short-handed Brooklyn for the 13th straight time. Brook Lopez had 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets, who were without starting guard Deron Williams, who injured his wrist on Tuesday.
Spurs 100
Raptors 80
SAN ANTONIO — Tim Duncan scored 15 points, and San Antonio rolled to a victory over Toronto that snapped the Raptors’ five-game winning streak. None of Toronto’s starters scored in double figures as San Antonio’s starters outscored their counterparts 54-25.
Warriors 94
Jazz 83
SALT LAKE CITY — Stephen Curry scored 23 points, David Lee added 18, and Golden State beat Utah. Al Jefferson led Utah with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
