The suddenly reeling Portland Trail Blazers aren't in danger of losing their lead in the Northwest Division, but the status of their top player has become a concern coming off a forgettable road swing.
With LaMarcus Aldridge expected to be out, the Blazers will try to avoid their longest losing streak in 23 months on Tuesday night when they host the league-best Golden State Warriors, who are a win away from clinching their first division title in 39 years.
Portland (44-24) was riding high during an 8-1 stretch following a 113-97 win at Atlantic Division-leading Toronto to open a five-game trip March 15. The squad, though, dropped the final four - including a humbling 111-104 loss at Orlando.
Things got only worse for the Blazers in a 97-86 defeat at Memphis on Saturday when Aldridge sprained his left index finger. X-rays were negative on the injury, which isn't related to the left thumb injury that cost him two games in January.
With a five-game advantage in the division and on fourth place in the Western Conference, Portland - which is 3-4 without Aldridge this season - isn't expected to rush the four-time All-Star back into the lineup.
Fellow starting forward Nicolas Batum is also doubtful after sitting out the second half Saturday with a sore back. Chris Kaman isn't expected to play either due to a right shoulder strain that kept him sidelined against the Grizzlies.
The Blazers have already lost third-leading scorer Wesley Matthews for the season with an Achilles injury.
"When it rains, it pours," Aldridge, averaging team highs of 23.5 points and 10.4 rebounds, said of the injuries. "I have been here nine years, and I've seen things like this happen all throughout my time in Portland."
The short-handed Blazers hope to avoid their first five-game losing streak since a 13-game skid at the end of the 2012-13 season. They've won five straight and nine of 10 at Moda Center, but have lost three of four there against Golden State.
Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 29 points in a 95-90 win at Portland on Nov. 2 and Stephen Curry scored 21 despite going 6 for 18 from the field.
Thompson has scored 26.3 points per game while hitting 17 of 31 from 3-point range in his last four road meetings, while Curry has averaged 35.8 points and made 19 of 39 from beyond the arc in the past four overall.
Golden State (57-13) completed a sweep of its six-game homestand with Monday's 107-76 rout of Washington. Curry had 24 points with five 3-pointers and Thompson scored eight in 18 minutes after missing three games due to an ankle injury.
"We enjoy every night," coach Steve Kerr told the team's official website. "I think part of the magic of this team is just having fun. There's a lot of joy in that locker room from one night to the next. We don't pay attention to our record."
With 11 victories in their last 12, the Warriors have moved four games up on Atlanta for the NBA's top record and will wrap up the franchise's first Pacific Division title since 1976 with their next win. They're a league-best 34-2 at home, but have gone just 10-10 with a plus-2.3 scoring margin in road games since Dec. 16.
Thompson is averaging 23.6 points on 50.7 percent shooting at Oracle Arena compared to 19.8 and 41.7 in road contests. Draymond Green has averaged 15.7 per game in his last 10 at home and 9.7 in his past 20 on the road.