PORTLAND, Ore, April 4 (Ticker) -- One night after the Portland Trail Blazers extended the longest current playoff run in the Western Conference, they ended the longest current run in the East.

Rasheed Wallace scored 25 points and the Trail Blazers cruised to an 88-80 victory over the New York Knicks, who were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in 15 years.

On Wednesday, the Trail Blazers clinched their 20th straight postseason appearance -- the longest current streak in the NBA -- when the Los Angeles Clippers lost at Utah. They are two shy of the longest streak in NBA history, set by the Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers from 1950-71.

"Early on (this season), I heard that we were in jeopardy of not making the playoffs and rightfully so," Portland coach Maurice Cheeks said. "I believe it's a heck of an accomplishment for any franchise to be in the playoffs 20 straight years. I think that's something to be proud of."

NBA TV highlights from Knicks-Blazers: 56k | 300k Rasheed Wallace had a great game, and a great time, snapping a three-game losing streak. Sam Forencich NBAE/Getty Images

The Knicks had not missed the playoffs since 1987, reaching the NBA Finals twice in that span. But last year, they were bounced in the opening round of the playoffs for the first time in 10 years and the deterioration continued this season.

Coach Jeff Van Gundy abruptly resigned in December and was replaced by Don Chaney, who has been unable to instill an intensity in his players. Center Marcus Camby went down for the season with a hip injury and the Knicks (28-46) are headed for a 50-loss season.

"I have no thoughts on that at all," Chaney said. "Our main focus right now, as I have said in the last couple of weeks, is that we have to stay competitive."

"It's something that we've seen coming," Knicks swingman Latrell Sprewell said. "It would be different if we were right there, but we've been out of it for a while now."

Some of the frustration came out in the third quarter, when the Knicks were allowing the Blazers to open a 16-point lead. Sprewell elbowed Bonzi Wells and was ejected for his second technical foul.

"We were both banging and playing physical," Sprewell said. "I don't know who was at fault, but he was definitely swinging his elbows. If he would have hit my face, it would have gotten ugly out there."

"He's not going to let a guy shove him around in there and I admire that," Chaney said. "We could have used him in the game but both guys are warriors and they fought."

Wells and Derek Anderson scored 16 points apiece for Portland, which snapped a three-game losing streak and moved within one game of Minnesota for fifth place in the West.

"It was a good step, especially with these next seven or eight games down the stretch," Portland forward Scottie Pippen said. "We need to generate some kind of momentum, start playing some kind of consistent basketball and preparing ourself for the postseason."

Clarence Weatherspoon had his best game of the season with 20 points and 20 rebounds for the Knicks, who began a three-game road trip by dropping to 8-29 away from home.

Portland never trailed, opening a 24-15 lead after one quarter and widening it to 44-32 at halftime. New York, which missed its first 11 3-pointers, cut the deficit to five points in the third quarter before losing momentum.

Wallace and Wells scored six points each in an 18-7 surge that gave the Blazers a 70-54 lead with 2:21 remaining.

The Knicks trailed 73-58 entering the final period but closed to 81-75 with 3:05 to play on a 3-pointer by Mark Jackson, who had 15 points and 10 assists. However, Anderson responded with a three-point play and New York got no closer than five points thereafter.

Damon Stoudamire scored 12 points for the Blazers, who won despite shooting just 38 percent (30-of-79) from the field. Dale Davis pulled down a season-high 18 rebounds.

"Billy Cunningham used to say there is no bad win. I believe that," Cheeks said.

Kurt Thomas had 15 points and 11 boards for the Knicks, who shot 40 percent (32-of-80) and committed 17 turnovers.

New York had won four of the last five meetings.