NBA: Portland 129, Phoenix 109

PORTLAND, Ore., March 27 (UPI) -- LaMarcus Aldridge was one of three Portland players with at least 20 points Thursday and the Trail Blazers handed Phoenix a critical 129-109 setback.

The Suns had won seven in a row coming into the contest, but the loss left them 3 ½ games behind Dallas for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference.

Aldridge scored 29 points, Brandon Roy had 26 and Rudy Fernandez 23, lifting Portland to within a game of Denver at the top of the Northwest Division.

The Trail Blazers shot 60 percent from the field and broke the game open with a 35-point third period. They led the Suns by 21 going into the fourth quarter.

Aldridge, Roy and Fernandez combined to make 30-of-44 shots from the field.

Shaquille O'Neal led Phoenix with 20 points and Jason Richardson had 16.