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The Portland Trail Blazers erased an early 19-point deficit to post a 95-83 road win over the ailing San Antonio Spurs.

The victory was Portland's first in San Antonio since 2002, ending an 11-game losing streak, and pulled the team into a tie for third in the Western Conference with four games remaining.

Brandon Roy (pictured) had a team-high 26 points and LaMarcus Aldridge scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half as the Blazers earned their 50th win of the year.

"Fifty wins says a lot about our young team. It shows that we're moving forward," Roy said.

"The question mark about our team was can we beat a top team on the road. To do it in April when the West is so tight is big, but we have to build on it."

Roger Mason led the Spurs, who have the same 50-28 record as Portland, with 18 points in their second game since learning they would miss Argentine guard Manu Ginobili for the rest of the season with an ankle injury.

The health of fellow All-Star Tim Duncan was also in doubt after forward struggled to just four points and five rebounds and kept out down the stretch because of recurring knee problems.

Duncan attempted to re-enter the game in the fourth quarter but San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich told him: "I can't do it Tim - you can't move out there. I don't want a hero I want a healthy guy."

Point guard Tony Parker, who has carried the load for the Spurs this season, had 17 points and seven assists as his team fell into a tie with the Houston Rockets and Blazers in the West.

San Antonio led 39-20 with 9:45 left in the second but Portland caught fire and closed the half with a 27-10 run to pull within two by halftime.

"We have that kind of never-quit attitude," Roy said. "We knew they would try to hit us hard early but we kept playing and this was a huge win for us."

The Blazers, already assured of their first playoff appearance since 2003, are fighting for a top four spot in the conference and home court advantage in the first round.

Reuters