PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- LaMarcus Aldridge had 21 points and 12 rebounds, and the Portland Trail Blazers snapped the New Orleans Pelicans' four-game winning streak with a 99-90 victory on Saturday night.
Kris Kaman added 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Blazers, who have already clinched the Northwest Division and are jockeying for home-court advantage among the Western Conference playoff teams.
Eric Gordon had 22 points for the Pelicans, who remain a half-game back of Oklahoma City for eighth place and the final playoff spot in the West.
With both teams grappling for the lead, the Blazers pulled in front 88-85 on Nicolas Batum's 3-pointer with 3:59 left. Damian Lillard was fouled on a 3-point attempt and made all of his shots to push the lead to 91-85.
Aldridge dunked to make it 95-85 with 2:18 left and New Orleans couldn't catch up.
Both teams also played the night before. The Pelicans (41-35) defeated the Kings 101-95 in Sacramento, pulling within a half-game of the Thunder. New Orleans owns the tie-breaker over Oklahoma City for the edge.
The Thunder next play on Sunday when they host Houston.
Portland defeated the Lakers 107-77 in Los Angeles on Friday night, clinching the division for the first time since claiming a share of the title in the 2008-09 season.
Portland (50-26) is locked in a tight battle with the Clippers and the Rockets for home-court advantage in the playoffs. The four teams with the best records in the Western Conference get home court.
The Blazers have won five straight overall and eight straight at home against the Pelicans. New Orleans hasn't won in Portland since 2010.
The Pelicans jumped out to a 14-4 lead early, but Portland closed the gap to 24-21 going into the second quarter. Consecutive baskets from Robin Lopez and Steve Blake put Portland in front, and the Blazers extended the lead to 41-34 after Meyers Leonard's 3-pointer.
Portland led by as many as 13 points en route to a 56-64 lead at the half.
Trailing 65-52, the Pelicans took off on an 18-4 run to go ahead 70-69, capped by Gordon's 3-pointer.
Portland regained the lead, pulling in front 75-72 to start the fourth quarter. But the Pelicans pushed back, going ahead 81-77 on Ryan Anderson's 3-pointer with 8:23 left in the game.
TIP-INS
Pelicans: New Orleans coach Monty Williams was an assistant with the Blazers from 2005-10. "I still watch a lot of Portland basketball because of my affinity for this place," he said pregame.
Trail Blazers: Guard Wesley Matthews, who ruptured his Achilles last month and had surgery in Southern California, returned to Portland with the Blazers after their game with the Lakers Friday night. Matthews may be able to watch games from the bench during the playoffs.
UP NEXT
Pelicans: Visit the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.
Trail Blazers: Visit the New Jersey Nets on Monday.
