Brandon Roy, right, takes the ball upcourt for Portland as New Jersey's Chris Douglas-Roberts guards. (Don Ryan/Associated Press)The New Jersey Nets moved a loss closer to the record for the NBA's worst start to a season on Wednesday night when they dropped their 15th straight game, 93-83 to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Greg Oden continued a recent run of strong play with 18 points and eight rebounds for the Blazers, who have won 10 of their last 12. They have also won six straight at home.
Oden was one of six Blazers in double digits, joined by starters Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Martell Webster.
Portland's depth shone through, with their bench outscoring New Jersey's 32-13. Reserves Andre Miller and Rudy Fernandez also hit double digits.
Brook Lopez led the Nets with a career-high 32 points, throwing up 25 shots. He also hauled down 14 rebounds.
Chris Douglas-Roberts added 18.
The NBA record is 17 straight losses to start a season, set by the 1988-89 expansion Miami Heat and matched by the Los Angeles Clippers in the lockout-shortened 1999 season.
"You walk into the locker room and it's like a morgue," Nets coach Lawrence Frank said. "Guys are laying it all out there. It's disheartening to lose, but you keep putting efforts like this together and we'll break through."
The Nets continue their road trip on Friday against the Sacramento Kings (6-8). Should they lose, they face the prospect of preventing a tie of the record against the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers (11-3)
With files from CBCSports.ca
