--Rookie C Hasheem Thabeet, oft-criticized early this season, is starting to put things together. After scoring nine points and grabbing five rebounds in a loss at Phoenix on Wednesday, Thabeet came back with nine points, six rebounds and three blocked shots in 18:06 against Portland.

"I'm getting more comfortable," Thabeet said. "When I came in and got that blocked shot, it was a good start. I just tried to play as good as defense as I could. It helped that J.T. (Jamaal Tinsley) talked to me throughout the game. He really helped me."

--F Zach Randolph returned to his old Portland stomping grounds and torched his old team for 21 points and nine rebounds, which is what he has been averaging over the past six games.

--C Marc Gasol continued his ridiculous hot streak, hitting 6-of-8 field goals in a 19-point, 15-rebound performance against Portland that was his eighth double-double of the year. Gasol has made 46 of 58 shots in his last seven games.

MEDICAL WATCH:

--F Darrell Arthur is out for four months after surgery to repair a partially torn pectoral muscle.