WASHINGTON - The nature of the NBA schedule dictates that there will be nights when effort may lag behind production, but even with that as a pretext, there is nothing to excuse the effort the Washington Wizards turned in last night.

Washington essentially mailed in a 98-79 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at MCI Center.

The Wizards (9-12), who looked as if they wanted to get to their respective homes before the forecasted ice storm, did pick the oddest time to turn in a performance so flat the announced sellout crowd of 20,173 booed lustily at the end of the third period, with Portland leading by 24.

Coach Doug Collins appeared so angry at the desultory effort that he didn't even talk to the Wizards during a timeout early in the fourth quarter.

"I could see this coming," said Collins, who met briefly with general manager Wes Unseld after the game. "I told our coaches this morning, 'I don't like what I see and I hope our guys don't have to go through crises or valleys to get the understanding of what good, hard practice means.' It was bad. It was ugly. Just the lack of energy was incredible."

Said forward Bryon Russell: "Everything from that game looks like a team that couldn't make the playoffs, like a team that doesn't care. I know we're better than that."

In fairness, the Trail Blazers (10-9), who have now beaten Washington eight straight times, might well have given the Los Angeles Lakers of the last three title runs a stiff challenge, with all five starters in double figures through three periods and shooting 50 percent for the game.

But they didn't need the help of the Wizards, who appeared all too willing to let Portland roll over them, particularly inside, where the Trail Blazers outscored Washington 50-29.

"It was tough, and I think we need to realize that we got our butts kicked," said guard Larry Hughes, whose 17 points and 11 rebounds marked his fourth straight double double. "We're not looking forward to any more nights like this."

Scottie Pippen, who was often called Robin to Michael Jordan's Batman in their 10 seasons in Chicago - six of which ended with championships - faced his old teammate for the first time in their respective careers.

For this night, both scored 14 points, but Pippen looked more like the Caped Crusader than Jordan, hitting six of seven from the floor, to go along with five assists and seven rebounds in only 27 minutes. Pippen, like Jordan, took in the fourth quarter from the comfort of the bench, with the outcome long decided.

"He is still the greatest," Pippen said. "Even though they didn't fare well, in the outcome of the game, Michael's presence in the game is still felt. I'm glad we came in and jumped on them early. There was a little interaction; he hit me with a few cheap shots. It was all in the love of the game, but I just thought we came out and jumped on them early, and never looked back."

Said Jordan: "I know Pip, and I know he wanted to come out and play well. Believe me, I wanted to come out and play well, too. His horses were ready and my mules were sick. You take it and you move on with it. Unfortunately, we didn't play the way I wanted us to play. I'll have to take some razzing for the time being. Hopefully, we'll have the chance to get ready for the next opportunity."

Portland's Derek Anderson scored 14 points as well as dishing out five assists, while Rasheed Wallace had 13 points.

Next for Wizards

Opponent:New Jersey Nets

Site:Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, N.J.

When:Friday, 8 p.m.

TV/Radio:Comcast SportsNet/WTEM (980 AM)