OAKLAND, CALIF. ? The Portland Trail Blazers weren’t apologizing for their latest trouble.

“It’s not about reputation,” Portland’s Scottie Pippen said. “They lost the game. It’s about their reputation, too. Are we supposed to lay over as cowards? No.”

Following a brawl that started seconds after Portland’s 113-111 victory over Golden State on Friday night, the Warriors’ Antawn Jamison said the Blazers “have a lot of hotheads.”

“I don’t think we dislike each other,” said Jamison, who was on his way to the locker room and missed the fight altogether. “In a close game like that, there’s a lot of emotion involved, and sometimes guys go over the top.”

Rasheed Wallace won the game on a difficult turnaround jumper at the buzzer. Closer to the basket, however, Portland’s Bonzi Wells and Golden State’s Chris Mills were battling for position and were still tied up after Wallace’s shot went through.

As the two exchanged words and began pushing each other, the Warriors’ Troy Murphy entered the fray and threw punches. The Blazers’ Ruben Patterson and Murphy then began fighting, with both teams pushing each other as coaches and officials tried to restore order.

Pippen said the disturbance never should have escalated.

There was no reason he shouldn’t let Bonzi go,” Pippen said, referring to Mills.

The situation was made worse by fans throwing wads of gum and plastic beer bottles at the Blazers as they headed for the locker room. One man was handcuffed and subdued by four security officers. He threw gum at Wallace, sparking another confrontation with several Blazers.

One Portland player, who could not immediately be identified, started up the stairs into the stands, and a couple others, including Wallace, were trying to grab the fan.

Mills reportedly tried to get into the Blazers’ locker room but was restrained.

Later, as the Blazers’ bus tried to leave the arena, Mills parked his car in front of it, got out with several friends and challenged the Blazers, The Oregonian newspaper reported. The bus wasn’t able to leave until Oakland police arrived to provide an escort.

Calls to the NBA on Saturday were not immediately returned.

In November, Blazers general manager Bob Whitsitt apologized to fans on behalf of him and owner Paul Allen after a series of run-ins with the law by Portland players.

“We have to do a better job, our players have to do a better job, we have to get it right,” Whitsitt said then. “This is embarrassing, it’s disappointing, it’s frustrating. I’m sure we’ve got a lot of angry fans.”

Last month, Patterson was charged with assaulting his wife, less than a week after guard Damon Stoudamire and Wallace were cited for marijuana possession. The case against Patterson was dropped because his wife declined to press charges.

Stoudamire and Wallace were cited Nov. 22 after the vehicle they were riding in was stopped for speeding in southern Washington after a Blazers game in Seattle.

Earlier in November, Wells was suspended for one game by the NBA for spitting on San Antonio’s Danny Ferry during a game.