Hawks keep streak alive, top Trail Blazers 105-99

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Hawks overcame 37 points by Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge to extend their franchise-record winning streak to 18 games by beating the Trail Blazers 105-99 on Friday night.

Portland, which has lost four of five, led after each of the first three quarters but couldn't stretch the advantage to more than six points.

Following four ties in the final period, 3-pointers byMike Scott and Paul Millsap gave Atlanta its biggest lead at 97-91. Portland came no closer than four points the remainder of the game.

The Hawks have not lost in 2015. The winning streak began after a loss to Milwaukee on Dec. 26.

Millsap scored 21 points to lead six Atlanta scorers in double figures. Al Horford had 17 points and Kyle Korver 16. Atlanta outscored Portland 36-25 in the final period.

Atlanta improved to 13-2 against the Western Conference, including a franchise-record 12 straight wins.

Aldridge had a game-high 11 rebounds. Wesley Matthews had 16 points and Damian Lillard had 13 points with 11 assists.

The Hawks overcame a sudden shortage of small forwards to keep their streak alive before a sellout crowd.

Atlanta's DeMarre Carroll missed the game with a left Achilles strain. His replacement, Thabo Sefolosha, lasted only two minutes before leaving with a right calf strain.

In typical fashion for the Hawks, who have won with depth this season, the team's third option at small forward, Kent Bazemore, didn't miss a beat. Bazemore made his first three shots and finished with 12 points.

Aldridge, who has continued to play with a torn ligament in his left thumb, again showed why he'll be a reserve on the Western Conference All-Star team. Aldridge scored 21 points in the first half while making nine of 12 shots.

Aldridge scored 10 straight points for Portland late in the half, including a turnaround 3-pointer that started the run. He closed the half with a three-point play to give the Trail Blazers at 51-50 lead at the break.

TIP-INS

Trail Blazers: Coach Terry Stotts was not pleased commissioner Adam Silver selected Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins instead of Lillard to replace injured Lakers star Kobe Bryant on the Western Conference All-Star team Friday. ''I don't understand why or how he was not voted to the team to begin with,'' Stotts said. ''I don't understand why or how he wasn't named a replacement. The guy was an All-Star last year.'' ... Lillard made only 6 of 20 shots from the field.

Hawks: The Hawks didn't immediately update the status for Carroll or Sefolosha for Saturday night's game against Philadelphia. ... Guard Shelvin Mack missed his sixth straight game with a left calf strain. ... The Lakers were the last Western Conference team to beat Atlanta - 114-109 at Los Angeles on Nov. 18. ... Attendance was 19,018, a sellout.

UP NEXT:

Trail Blazers: At Milwaukee on Saturday.

Hawks: Host Philadelphia on Saturday.