Blazers desperate for a win as Celtics visit

While the Boston Celtics are battling for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Portland Trail Blazers are watching their Western Conference play-in berth hopes gradually evaporate.

The Trail Blazers will be trying to break out of a slump in which they have lost four consecutivegames and nine of 12 when they host the Boston Celtics on Friday night.

Portland (31-38) is playing the second contest of a str