It came down to a rookie and eclipsing a winning record from a year ago in a win over the New Jersey Nets at the Rose Garden

Nicolas Batum finished with a career-high 20 points and was the difference in the victory with dunks, blocks and timely shooting, particularly from beyond the arc where he was 2 for 2.

"I just keep shooting. I feel pretty good tonight," Batum, who fought off a sore shoulder, said after the game.

"I just keep playing my game."

With Rudy Fernandez still missing in action, Nate McMillan needed someone to turn to. Yet it wasn't until his coaching staff convinced him late in the game that in continuously reinserted the rookie small forward.

It was perhaps McMillan's best move of the night.

"What a great job. He had a really tough assignment in guarding Vince Carter but I thought he really made Carter work," McMillan said.

"My coaches – I think they do a great job every night – but a really solid job tonight convincing and debating whether to go back to that unit – with Nicolas, LaMarcus (Aldridge), Brandon (Roy) and (Steve) Blake. It worked out."

Aside from Batum's performance, Portland also recorded their 41^st win of the season, matching their win total from last season. It's simply a small time to a much larger goal.

"To get this game – being shorthanded – we have to get on the road and win some games," added McMillan.

 Portland begins a five game road trip starting Monday in Atlanta, which makes the win against the Nets at the Rose Garden that much bigger where the Blazer won three of four games in their stand .

Now the road will tell the real story.

Then again, the New Jersey Nets Kiki Vandeweghe isn't your typical GM. During his 13 seasons playing in the league, Vandeweghe spent four and a half seasons in Portland between 1984 until the 1987-88 season, never averaging less than 22.4 points per game. Truth be told, he still has a spot in his heart for Portland and the Blazers.

"I've always been a Trail Blazers fan since I played here and I have a real connection to the city. I always wanted the franchise to do well," Vandeweghe told HOOPSWORLD.

His best season in Portland came during the 86-87 season when he averaged 26.9 points per game and shot 48% from three-point land.

"But I root for them, there is no question about it. I like to see them do well. They have a great young core of guys and it will be interesting to see how they develop over the next few years. It will be fun to watch."

Kiki won't be rooting for Portland tonight. That's for sure.

Although his Nets are 28-36, they remain in the postseason hunt out East. Amazing what 28 wins can get you. As for the Blazers, Rudy Fernandez will miss his second straight game and is still experiencing some soreness on the right side of his body.

Expect rookie guard Jerryd Bayless to see more run tonight.  Bayless knows New Jersey well , scoring a career-high 23 points back in mid-January during the Blazers comeback win.

Will it be twice as nice for Bayless?