Rockets snap Blazers' 13-game win streak

[March 21, 2018]  James Harden poured in 42 points to lift the visiting Houston Rockets to a 115-111 victory over the Trail Blazers on Tuesday night at Moda Center, ending Portland's 13-game winning streak.

Chris Paul added 22 points, including a pair of free throws with 1.3 seconds left, as the Rockets won their sixth in a row and earned their 23rd victory in 24 outings.

Al-Farouq Aminu scored 22 points and Jusuf Nurkic had 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Trail Blazers. Portland had won 18 of its previous 19 home games.

Portland's top two scorers on the season, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, combined for 28 points on 9-for-32 shooting, including 0 of 12 from 3-point range.

Harden's 21 points kept Houston in the thick of it in a first half that ended in a 55-55 tie. There were 13 lead changes and seven ties before intermission.

The Rockets went ahead 66-60 early in the third quarter. Portland rallied to go on top 83-76. Houston went on a 7-0 run to tie it at 83-83 late in the quarter, but the Blazers took an 87-86 edge into the final period.

Houston seized a 100-94 advantage on a three-point play by Luc Mbah a Moute with 7:10 to go. Nurkic scored back-to-back baskets on post-up moves to cut it to 100-98 with 5:31 remaining.

P.J. Tucker's 3-pointer gave Houston a 104-100 lead with 4:40 to play. Moe Harkless' layup trimmed the margin to 104-102, but Harden bombed in a 3-pointer for a 107-102 Rockets advantage. When Trevor Ariza followed with a trey, Houston led 110-102.

 

Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers forward Evan Turner (1) during the second quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

Nurkic scored on a hook to make it 110-104 with 2:19 remaining, but Harden sank another 3-pointer for a 113-104 edge with 1:57 to go.

Lillard (20 points) hit three free throws to cut the difference to 113-107 with 1:39 remaining. He then scored on a driving layup to make it 113-109 with 1:04 on the clock. McCollum scored on a drive to close Portland to within 113-111 with 28.2 seconds left.

Paul hit a pair at the line with 1.3 ticks left to wrap things up for the Rockets.

Portland jumped to a 17-13 lead midway through the first quarter. With Aminu contributing 16 and hitting 4 of 6 3-point attempts, the Blazers carried a 31-27 advantage into the second quarter. Harden had 14 points in the first period.

Houston scored the first nine points of the second quarter to go ahead 36-31. Portland answered with an 11-2 run to go back in front 42-38. The Rockets came back to get even by the break.

--Field Level Media

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