Rockets hands Blazers second straight home loss
PORTLAND, OR — The Houston Rockets continue to use their fair rotation of players as they won their second straight road trip game against the Portland Trail Blazers, 103-96, Wednesday at the Rose Garden.
The Blazers fough back in the third quarter to tie the game after having a 19 point deficit but they only shot 4 of their last 12 attempts for the Rockets to win and hand the Blazers their second straight home game loss.
The Rockets have six players who scored double digits and their bench combined for 66 points to on 24 of 43 shooting. They also outrebounded the Blazers 39-29.
“Our bench was fantastic. You have to reward the guys who are playing well. They deserved to finish the game,” said Houston coach Kevin McHale.
Chase Budinger led the Rockets with 22 points off the bench, he was 50 percent on the three point line as he shot 4 of his 8 attempts in the game. Courtney Lee scored 12 points for 6 of 9 shooting, starters Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry each scored 12 points for the burning Rockets. Patrick Patterson scored 11 points and seven rebounds while Goran Dragic added 10 points in the game.
On the other hand, reserve Jamal Crawford scored 21 points for 8 of shooting including 3 of 4 behind the arc to lead the Trail Blazers. Gerald Wallace scored 20 points for 8 of 11 shooting and had nine rebounds. Wesley Matthews was perfect on the free throw line as he shot all of his eight attempts and ended with 17 points. LaMarcus Aldridge and reserve Nicolas Batum combined for 23 points for Portland who made a late run but came out short in the final stretch.
“Part of the challenge is to figure out the right combinations of players, motivating these guys, getting them to play both ways. We play in spurts,” said Portland coach Nate McMillan.
The Blazers will visit the New Orleans on Friday while the Rockets will continue their six game road trip to Phoenix on Thursday.
Short URL: http://www.mirosport.net/?p=41667
Posted by Johndel Kaye Patrick Callora
on Feb 9 2012. Filed under Basketball.
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