By Devan Cook

For three quarters, the best Trail Blazer fans could hope for was a loss to the Hawks in single digits.

At Sunday's home game against the Hawks, the second since returning after a tiring 7-game East coast trip, the Trail Blazers were hoping to bounce back after falling to Houston on Friday. In that game, everyone except Coach Nate McMillan seemed to be using exhaustion from the extensive trip as an excuse for the team's lackluster perfomance. But the loss was the second in a row for the Trail Blazers, their longest losing streak since November, and they didn't want to make it 3 with the Hawks. However, after being outscored 19-29 after the first quarter, and then falling to 37-52 at the half, the outcome seemed dismal for the tired home team.

The turn around point for the Trail Blazers started when Travis Outlaw hit back to back 3-pointers, and a collective team effort allowed them to shut down the Hawks in that final period.

It has become a well known fact now that Brandon Roy is a fourth quarter man, and tonight was no different. After collecting just 13 points after 3 quarters, Roy would tack on 11 more in the final quarter and lead both teams in scoring, finishing out the night with 24, including the final free throw of the game that would give Portland the 1-point victory.

The Trail Blazers outscored the Hawks 31-20 in the final quarter, alas giving the home crowd a reason to rise to their feet, and the team that had trailed by as much as 18 were suddenly tied with just seconds to go in the ball game when Brandon Roy was fouled and sent to the line, where he missed the first, but sank the second, giving Portland the 1-point edge.

The Hawks had 2 seconds to catch and shoot but were unable to deliver, making this the second disappointing, and down to the last second game against the Trail Blazers for them in a week.

Joe Johnson led Atlanta with 19 points, and Josh Smith and Marvin Williams both had 17.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 16 points for the Trail Blazers, and Travis Outlaw and Channing Frye were both big contributors with 15 and 14 points respectively for Portland.

The Trail Blazers will get that much needed rest they have been waiting for in the next two days, then they tackle the great challenge known as the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are hot off a win in Los Angeles. The game airs locally on Comcast Sports Net Wednesday at 6 p.m. Don't Miss A Minute!