Without Williams, Nets Fall in Portland

Though they were playing without Deron Williams (stomach virus), the Nets made yet another fourth-quarter comeback on the west coast on Wednesday. But they would have to settle for a split of their four-game trip, because the Blazers were able to answer back in the final six minutes.

The Blazers led by two at halftime, but went up by 16 with an 18-2 run in the third quarter and led by 12 at the start of the fourth. The Nets outscored them 19-4 over the next 4 1/2 minutes to take a three-point lead, but Portland answered with a 16-1 run and finished off a 101-88 victory.

The Nets shot just 37 percent from the field, with starters Sundiata Gaines, Marshon Brooks and Johan Petro combining to shoot 2-for-17.

Kris Humphries led them with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Gerald Green and Anthony Morrow each added 20 points off the bench. LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum combined for 44 points and 19 rebounds for Portland.

• Boxscore - NBA.com
• Nets vs. Blazers (Video) - NBA.com
• Aldridge leads Blazers over the Nets 101-88 - Anne M. Peterson - AP
• Post Game Plus (Video) - Nancy Newman - YES Network
• From the Booth (Video) - Ian Eagle & Jim Spanarkel - YES Network
• Avery Johnson Press Conference (Video) - YES Network
• No chance to woo Deron Williams, but Blazers get a win - Joe Freeman - The Oregonian
• Ailing Aldridge, Batum come up big for Blazers - Kerry Eggers - Portland Tribune
• Blazers cut down the Nets in second half - Matt Calkins - The Columbian
• Wallace returns, Williams is a jerk, Canales not keeping up - Matt Calkins - The Columbian