Rockets lean on stars to coast past Trail Blazers

Field Level Media|published: Sun 19th January, 01:02 2025

NBA: Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers

Jan 18, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) looks to pass against Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (24) and forward Delano Banton (5) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Murphy-Imagn Images

Jalen Green scored 26 points and Alperen Sengun recorded 23 points, 15 rebounds and six assists to lead the Houston Rockets to a 125-103 victory over the host Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night.

Dillon Brooks added 22 points and Tari Eason contributed 18 points, eight rebounds and three steals off the bench as the Rockets won for the sixth time in seven games. Cam Whitmore had 12 points and 10 boards and fellow reserve Aaron Holiday added 10 points as Houston improved to 7-1 over its past eight road games.

Scoot Henderson registered 21 points, 11 assists and three blocked shots for the Trail Blazers, who lost their fifth consecutive game. The past four defeats have come at home by an average of 22.5 points.

Toumani Camara scored 17 points, Shaedon Sharpe had 13 points and eight rebounds and Anfernee Simons also scored 13 points for Portland. Jabari Walker added 10 points for the Trail Blazers, who were without Deni Avdija (ankle) and Deandre Ayton (back).

Houston shot 44.4 percent from the field, including a 14-for-31 mark from 3-point range. Green made 4 of 6 shots from behind the arc. Amen Thompson (calf) sat out for Houston, which outscored Portland 74-53 in the second half.

The Trail Blazers made 45.3 percent of their shots from the floor and hit 12 of 36 attempts from deep.

Portland trailed by 11 early in the fourth quarter before the Rockets pulled away with a 13-1 burst.

Fred VanVleet, Whitmore and Holiday all hit 3-pointers during the run as Houston took a 103-80 lead with 7:12 remaining. The Rockets led comfortably for the remainder of the game.

Green scored 14 first-half points, and the Rockets led 51-50 at the break. Camara had 10 points in the first half for Portland.

The Trail Blazers led 56-55 after Jerami Grant's basket with 9:12 left in the third quarter.

Green then scored eight points during a 15-0 surge to give the Rockets a 14-point advantage with 6:56 left in the period.

Green's floater late in the quarter pushed the Houston lead to 16 before Portland's Dalano Banton connected on a 3-pointer as time expired to cut the Rockets' lead to 87-74 entering the final stanza.

--Field Level Media