LaMarcus Aldridge returned from a seven-game hiatus and looked like he didn't miss a beat.
Aldridge, who missed the past couple of weeks due to lingering back issues, scored 25 points with 16 rebounds to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 100-85 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
Damian Lillard contributed 21 points and Nicolas Batum netted 12 with seven rebounds for the Blazers, who snapped their three-game losing streak.
The Hawks, meanwhile, lost for the fifth straight time and now lead the idle New York Knicks by 1 1/2 games for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Atlanta was led by Jeff Teague's 22 points and Elton Brand deposited an 11- point, 12-rebound double-double. Louis Williams finished with 16 points off the bench in the setback.
[SportsNetwork.com]
