New Orleans' All-Star point guard Chris Paul suffered a right groin strain late in the third quarter against Portland yesterday, and the Trail Blazers made the most of his early departure.

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 22 points with 11 rebounds and Jerryd Bayless chipped in 19 points off the bench as Portland used a big fourth quarter to secure a 97-89 National Basketball Association victory over the Hornets.