Portland has delivered the NBA world more drama than an episode of the "Bold and the Beautiful," so don't expect any different when the Sonics travel to the Rose Garden tonight.

In Seattle's visit in November, Portland players celebrated a 100-94 win as if they won the Western Conference title, flexing their muscles to the crowd while throwing verbal jabs at the Sonics. Seattle answered by beating Portland at KeyArena four days later.

This time, however, the Trail Blazers (23-43) are about as ferocious as the Easter Bunny. They've lost six consecutive games and 10 of 11 since Kevin Pritchard, director of player personnel, replaced Maurice Cheeks as coach.

With leading scorer Zach Randolph out after right knee surgery, the heat of a Northwest challenge might not even motivate this squad.

Then again, it is Seattle. And Seattle hasn't defeated Portland in a four-game series since the 1997-98 season.

"The last time we played, in our home (December), somebody took a comment that I said and all it was, was me telling my team that we're the better team," said Sonics All-Star Ray Allen, explaining the rivalry. "They took it and they put it in their locker room and they put it up on the board. I guess they use that as motivation. And Derek Anderson comes up to me and he says, 'What's the matter, you got something against us?' And I was like, 'what are you talkin' about? ' And he was like, 'Yeah, coach put up a comment.'

"That's the sort of thing that fuels those rivalries. But it was total in-house stuff I was talking about. If it was any other team, I would have said the same thing, but they're trying to use small little things to motivate themselves."

Riding a three-game winning streak, the Sonics (46-20) won without Allen on Tuesday, a 92-84 win over Milwaukee behind 29 points from Rashard Lewis .

Guard Ronald Murray has filled in for Allen (right ankle sprain) and injured Vladimir Radmanovic's three-point shooting. Center Vitaly Potapenko and forward Nick Collison have played well inside while Danny Fortson (left ankle) and Jerome James (quadriceps contusion) have missed games.

Fortson said not playing against the Bucks, his fourth consecutive missed game, was a decision made by Sonics coach Nate McMillan. His sprained ankle appeared better yesterday as he dunked to the delight of teammates. (Yes, dunked, for those of you who believe Fortson has no hops.)

The Sonics' depth has been a theme. McMillan pointed to Murray and Potapenko as key players on the bench, although guard Antonio Daniels leads the bench by averaging 11.6 points and 4.2 assists. Murray and Potapenko were starters last season but lost their spots after starting the season injured.

"The depth of the team, the credit really has to go to Vitaly and Ronald because they could have easily flipped the switch off," McMillan said. "They step out there and they play the game, and they play the right way and they help this team win."

Murray may stay in the starting lineup as Allen takes his time healing. Allen did not practice yesterday.

The Sonics are close to clinching a playoff spot, but that doesn't mean McMillan is resting his stars for the postseason.

The Sonics are in position to improve their Western Conference standing, which is currently third.

"We're not saving anyone," McMillan said. "It's not like we're putting Ray or Danny or these guys up on the shelf. No, if they can play, I want them playing."

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com