Celtics lose again, beaten by Blazers

PORTLAND, Oregon: The Boston Celtics' surprise slide continued on Tuesday, as the defending NBA champions were beaten 91-86 by an undermanned Portland Trail Blazers.

Steve Blake had 21 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 20 for Portland, which was without all-star guard Brandon Roy and was coming off a seven-game losing streak. The win move the Blazers equal top of the Northwest Division.

Boston has lost three from four after having broken the franchise record for consecutive wins with 19. Prior to the holiday slump, the Celtics had lost only two games this season.