Slam Dunk Central

Usually during games that the Rockets are involved in, the starting five score the bulk of the points during any given contest.? But the Rockets’ reserves, led by an unlikely participant, Tracy McGrady, picked up the slack for the starters as they led Houston to a victory over the Portland Trail Blazers 89-79 Friday at the Rose Garden.

To illustrate how important the reserves for the Rockets were, Houston’s starting 5 scored only 34 points.? Neither team shot very well not so much to any outstanding defensive effort in so much as they simply couldn’t find the bottom of the basket - Houston shot only 40.5% from the floor, while Portland shot a miserable 35.7%.? Portland’s Brandon Roy hit 3 of his first 4 shots as the Trail Blazers led 23-11 at the 2:01 mark of the first quarter; Houston’s McGrady would then check in.? The Rockets would then go on a 2-0 run, including 5 straight points by Bonzi Wells; Aaron Brooks would add a layup to tie the game at 32.? McGrady put Houston ahead with a 3-point play.

But the Blazers’ Roy hit a 3-pointer that would put Portland ahead by 5 at the 3:02 mark of the second quarter; he also made a jumper with 22 seconds left.? The Blazers would lead at the half 50-42.? The scoring would drop dramatically in the third period when both teams combined for 14 turnovers - sloppy play for certain.? The Rockets would open the second half with a 14-1 run; Portland missed their first 7 shots of the half, before LaMarcus Aldridge made a jumper to pull them to within 58-53.

Portland would regain the lead on a jumper by Jarrett Jack, making it 62-60.? Houston’s McGrady didn’t score in the third period, but his jumper at 10:31 of the fourth quarter put the Rockets up 66-65; Houston’s Luis Scola hit a jumper with 3:59 left in the game, while Carl Landry made a 3-point play, giving Houston a lead that the Blazers wouldn’t come close to for the balance of the contest.? Houston was led by McGrady with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists, while Landry added 12 and 8 rebounds.? Yao Ming and Scola pitched in with double-doubles - Ming with 11 and 10 rebounds and Scola with 11 with 12 boards and 3 steals.

Portland’s leading scorer was Roy with 23 points and a pair of steals, while Aldridge scored 14; Travis Outlaw from off the bench would chip in with 13.? Houston (24-19) returns home to host the Utah Jazz Sunday night, while Portland (25-18) remains home to host the Atlanta Hawks - also on Sunday.??