Trail Blazers 88, Knicks 81

Zach Randolph had 22 points and nine rebounds to lead the Blazers back from a 19-point first-half deficit as they beat the New York Knicks 88-81 Friday night.

Portland, which came back from a five-point deficit with 26 seconds in regulation to beat Indiana in overtime on Wednesday, has rallied from double-digit deficits in two of its last three games. The Blazers (10-7) have recorded all of their wins at home.

Rasheed Wallace had 17 points and seven rebounds to help the Blazers to their third straight victory.

``We got (the lead) down to 10 points and kept chipping away,'' said Jeff McInnis, who had 11 points and eight assists. ``Pretty soon it was down to three, just like that.''

Keith Van Horn had 15 points to lead the Knicks, who have lost three straight.

Knicks forward Antonio McDyess scored 14 points, coming off the bench in his third game back after missing nearly two full seasons with knee injuries.

New York made 19 of its first 24 shots (79 percent), but trailed off and finished at 52 percent.

``It was an energy issue, especially in the third quarter,'' Allan Houston said. ``Late in the game we didn't get the necessary stops and we just couldn't score.''

Ruben Patterson had a dunk to give the Blazers an 80-78 lead that they never relinquished.

Charlie Ward missed two consecutive long jumpers with the Knicks down 84-81, and Damon Stoudamire hit a jumper with 30.9 seconds left to give Portland an 86-81 lead.

``The guys out there didn't get the job done,'' Ward said. ``I just missed, there is nothing else to say. I definitely expect to make those.''

Wesley Person made his debut for the Blazers, scoring all eight of his points in the fourth quarter after being acquired Wednesday in a trade with Memphis for Bonzi Wells.

``I think I was pressuring a bit at first,'' Person said. ``In the fourth quarter I relaxed a bit and hit some shots.''

Fans greeted Person with a long applause upon his entry into the game with 1:35 left in the first quarter. Wells had a tumultuous stint with the Blazers, clashing with fans, coaches and officials, and most recently was suspended for two games after cursing at coach Maurice Cheeks.

Portland general manager John Nash has said that he dealt for Person, a mild-mannered 6-foot-6 sharpshooter, as much for his good character as his shooting.

Kurt Thomas made his first six shots and the Knicks led 24-14 early, shooting 73.7 percent in the first quarter. They went on a 7-0 run to open the second quarter, taking a 37-18 lead.

Portland clawed back, going on a 24-5 run to get within 45-42 at halftime.

The Blazers took the lead early in the third, and extended it to 55-47 when Wallace hit a 3-pointer with 6:45 remaining.

Thomas had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Knicks. Stoudamire had 10points and eight assists for Portland.

Notes:
Blazers guard Matt Carroll went through training camp with the Knicks before getting cut Oct. 27. ...The Blazers travel to Memphis Sunday, facing Wells for the first time since he was traded. ... New York forward Michael Doleac played at Portland's Central Catholic High School. ... Atlanta Braves outfielder Andruw Jones attended Friday's game, sitting in Blazers owner PaulAllen's seats. ... The Knicks are 3-8 on the road this season.