Portland, OR (Sports Network) - Ex-Jazz guard Wesley Matthews scored 20 points off the bench, lifting the Portland Trail Blazers over the Vinny Del Negro-led Los Angeles Clippers, 115-86, in the preseason opener for both clubs.
LaMarcus Aldridge added 17 points and seven rebounds for the Blazers, who made 16-of-27 three-pointers. Rudy Fernandez tallied 15 points and five boards off the bench.
Chris Kaman chipped in 14 points and seven rebounds for the Clippers, who made Del Negro their head coach after he spent the last two years with the Bulls.
Blake Griffin, the top overall pick in the 2009 draft, returned to the court after missing last season with a broken left kneecap. He scored nine points and pulled down seven boards in 22 minutes of action.