Published November 20, 2014
Kyle Lowry had 21 points and 11 assists, and the Houston Rockets won their fifth straight with a 103-87 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.
Luis Scola added 21 points and Kevin Martin had 20 for Houston, which snapped a four-game losing streak at the Rose Garden and reached .500 at 31-31.
Portland leading scorer LaMarcus Aldridge was held to 14 points, well off his average of 22.4. Nicolas Batum led the Blazers with 22 points.
The Rockets, coming off a 91-89 victory over New Orleans on Sunday, led by as many as 19 points after Lowry's jumper made it 87-68 early in the fourth quarter and Portland fans started heading for the exits.
The Blazers were coming off a 90-83 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. Coach Nate McMillan said afterward the team would need time to adjust to the addition of Gerald Wallace, acquired in a deadline trade with the Bobcats, and the return of center Marcus Camby and Brandon Roy from injuries.
Martin's 3-pointer in the first quarter put the Rockets up 24-17. It was the first of three straight 3s for Houston, with Lowry adding two more.
Lowry hit another 3-pointer that made it 49-40 and the Rockets went on to lead 53-42 at the half. Three Houston players were in double figures at the break: Martin (12), Lowry (13) and Scola (10).
The Rockets opened the second half with an 8-2 run, capped by Chase Budinger's dunk that made it 61-44. Martin hit a 3-pointer that extended it to 73-57.
Wallace hit consecutive 3-pointers for Portland to narrow it to 75-64, but the Rockets would outscore Portland 10-4 and lead 87-68 after Lowry's jumper.
Budinger finished with 14 points.
Martin had scored at least 30 points in three straight games, but the Rockets did not need such an outburst against the Blazers. Houston shot 58 from the floor.
The Blazers were without Rudy Fernandez, who had the flu.
Portland signed center Jarron Collins earlier Tuesday to a 10-day contract. The 6-foot-11 Collins has averaged 3.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in 537 NBA games over 10 years. He has played for Utah, Phoenix and the Clippers.
Collins, who played with the Blazers in the preseason, made his debut with 2:20 remaining when Aldridge left for the night. He finished with one rebound.
Goran Dragic returned for the Rockets after missing Sunday's game with the flu. Dragic was acquired in the trade at last week's deadline that sent point guard Aaron Brooks to Phoenix.
Notes: There was much discussion among fans over whether McMillan would allow Wallace to wear a head band during games. The debate was answered on Tuesday when Wallace wore one during the game. Traditionally, McMillan has preferred his teams to go without them. ... Portland won the first two meetings with the Rockets this season.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/lowry-rockets-beat-blazers-to-reach-500