Recap: Houston vs. Portland

Trevor Ariza notched a career-high 33 points to lead the Houston Rockets past the Portland Trail Blazers, 111-107, in a matchup at Toyota Center.

These teams also faced off on Tuesday in the season opener for both teams with the Blazers taking a 96-87 decision at the Rose Garden.

Aaron Brooks poured in 28 points and doled out eight helpers for the Rockets, who won their second straight game. Carl Landry added 16 points in the win.

"We hustled tonight, didn't allow them to dominate the boards, Trevor played well," said Brooks. "We tried to get the transition game going tonight."

Brandon Roy totaled 42 points and accounted for 16 of the final 20 points for the Blazers, who dropped their second straight tilt. LaMarcus Aldridge added 27 points and Andre Miller ended with 15 points.

Trailing by 11 points late in the game, the Blazers embarked upon an 11-3 run that got Portland back in the game. Roy's pullup jumper closed out the surge that closed it to 110-107 with 11.5 ticks left.

Brooks was fouled on the ensuing Houston possession and hit 1-of-2 to make it a four-point game.

Roy missed a shot on the next Blazers play, but Chase Budinger was fouled down the other end and missed both shots. However, Travis Outlaw botched a three- pointer for Portland and it was over.

The Rockets jumped out to a 33-28 lead after the first quarter and led 59-54 at the break.

"Right from the start, they have a 33-point quarter and we'll see this all season long where teams will look at us and think this is a big team running; transition is going to be important," said Portland head coach Nate McMillan.

The teams traded baskets in the third frame, before an Ariza three-pointer gave Houston a 79-74 lead with 3:25 left in the third.

Rudy Fernandez' pullup jumper in the waning seconds of the third period closed it to 83-79.

Two Ariza free throws about midway through the fourth frame gave the Rockets a 95-86 lead. Houston's lead hovered around 10 points from there.

Game Notes

Latest Comment View all comments