Finally, the Portland Trail Blazers got their first win of the season.

After three losses to open the season on the road, the Blazers returned to Portland for their home opener and beat the previously unbeaten New Orleans Hornets, 93-90.

"Starting out with three, it kind of makes you hesitant out there, not as confident," LaMarcus Aldridge said. "But now we're back to normal, so we'll have to keep playing hard."

Coach Nate McMillan tackled the losses by altering the starting lineup, replacing Joel Przybilla with Channing Frye at center, and Jarrett Jack with Steve Blake at the point.

The change sparked the Blazers, especially Jack and Przybilla.

Jack co-led the Blazers with 20 points, while Przybilla had nine points and 11 rebounds.

"Jack played really well, mostly in the off-guard position. His scoring, along with Przybilla's play, really helped that second unit the way I envisioned it," Blazers coach Nate McMillan said. "That's what we were looking for."

If Jack was disappointed in the shift, he certainly didn't show it and played aggressively, especially in the fourth quarter.

"I tried to embrace my role change. Coach wants me to come out and be more aggressive, to score and set people up," Jack said. "I came out with a sense of urgency."

The Blazers host the Vancouver Grizzlies Friday night and the Dallas Mavericks the next night.

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JONES SITS: Portland forward James Jones continues to have trouble with his left knee.

Coach Nate McMillan did not play him during the home opener against the Hornets, and it is uncertain what his role will be with the team in the immediate future.

Blazers acquired Jones and the draft rights to Spanish guard Rudy Fernandez in the offseason from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for $3 million and other considerations.

Jones, a four-year veteran, averaged 6.4 points and 2.3 rebounds with the Suns last season. He was originally picked by the Pacers with the 49th selection in the 2003 draft out of Miami.

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MAKE IT BETTER: The Trail Blazers this week kicked off the "Make it Better" community relations program, targeting mostly children's issues in Portland and the rest of the state.

Among the initiatives is a commitment by the team to renovate all the basketball courts at the 10 Portland Interscholastic League schools.

The team will also work with the NBA's Read to Achieve Program in donating books and resources to literacy programs across the state.

The team also introduced the Blazers Community Ambassador Corps, which will bring former players and team officials into the Blazers' community programs. Members include former Blazers Chris Dudley and Jerome Kersey, and team founder Henry Glickman.

The name of the program was inspired by coach Nate McMillan, who used the phrase when he took over the team.