Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – CJ McCollum scored a career-high 37 points, including six 3-pointers, and the Portland Trail Blazers opened the season with a 112-94 victory over the depleted New Orleans Pelicans last night. It was Portland’s 15th straight home-opening victory, surpassing Boston’s record of 14 (1979-92).
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Ricky Rubio had a career-high 28 points and 14 assists and the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied from a 16-point deficit in the second half to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 112-111 last night in their first game since Flip Saunders’ death. Kevin Martin scored 23 points for the Timberwolves.
SEATTLE (AP) – Erik Friberg took advantage of a defensive mistake and scored in the 73rd minute, lifting the Seattle Sounders past the Los Angeles Galaxy 3-2 last night in the knockout round of the MLS Cup playoffs. After getting eliminated from the playoffs by Los Angeles three times since 2010, Seattle finally got the better of its rival to the south and ended the year for the Galaxy, who had won three of the last four MLS Cup titles.
IRVING, Texas (AP) – Dez Bryant is returning to practice for the first time in almost seven weeks, boosting the prospects of Dallas’ All-Pro receiver returning from a broken right foot against Seattle this weekend. Coach Jason Garrett said Bryant would be limited in his first practice since Sept. 11, two days before he was injured in the opener against the New York Giants. He’s missed five straight games, the longest absence of his career. The Seahawks (3-4) visit Dallas on Sunday.
