Brooks and Ariza Help Lead Rockets Over Blazers
HOUSTON, TX -- The Houston Rockets took a 20 to 19 lead over the Portland Trail Blazers with 3:38 remaining in the first quarter and led the Blazers the rest of the ball game and won 111 to 107 before an announced sellout crowd of 18,100 fans.
Trevor Ariza (career-high 33 points) and Aaron Brooks (28 points) led the way for Rick Adelman's Rockets (2-1).
"Our guys really responded after the first we played them (Tuesday night in Portland)," said Coach Adelman. "We did a much better job today offensively. I was really happy with the way we competed."
The Rockets led the Blazers 33 to 28 at the end of the first quarter thanks to 66.7% (14 for 21) field goal shooting. Ariza scored 16 points (6 for 6 from the floor) in the opening quarter.
"I'm definitely getting more comfortable," Ariza said after the game. "I've always been a team-type player; but, my coaches and my teammates are telling me that I'm going to have to be willing to take the tough shots. I'm welcoming that."
The Rockets offense was much more effective with quick movement -- player movement and ball movement.
"When we swing the ball, when we have good energy and good ball movement on the offensive end, we're a pretty good offensive team," Shane Battier said. "We're going to score. When we don't, when we get bogged down, that's when we're going to struggle."
The Blazers (1-2) made run after run at the Rockets; but, the Rockets were able to score points at key times to keep the Blazers at arms' length.
"Ariza and Brooks did whatever they wanted," said Nate McMillan, Blazers' head coach. "They controlled the ball and made their shots. Brooks has so much speed. With any opening, he beats you."
Brooks broke down the Blazers' perimeter defense at will; and, when he got into the paint and attracted big men, Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla, to him, Brooks dished to Carl Landry for easy scores. Landry finished the game with 16 points (7 for 11 from the field).
"I was active. I moved without the ball," said Landry. "I tried to be aggressive. My teammates found me when the opportunity was given to me."
Despite 69 points from the Blazers dynamic duo (Brandon Roy - 42 points and LaMarcus Aldridge - 27 points), Portland's inability to defend the Rockets was key to the Rockets' victory.
"Houston worked really well; they cut well and executed really well," said Brandon Roy.
Aldridge added, "Brooks is so fast; and, he creates so many mismatches on the court. They made more shots and were more aggressive and won the game."
With 7:44 left in the ball game, the Rockets led the Blazers by nine points (95 to 86); but, Brandon Roy scored seven points during a 10 to 3 Blazers' run to trim the Rockets lead to just two points (98 to 96) with 5:19 remaining.
But, Ariza and Brooks stepped up and answered the chanllenge. Ariza drained a three-pointer; Brooks followed by draining a 19-foot jumper; and, after Shane Battier split two free throws, Brooks capped off the 9 - 0 run with a long 26-foot three point bucket to put the Rockets up 107 to 96 with 3:58 on the game clock.
Roy scored nine of the Blazers' final 11 points; but, his spectacular effort could not overcome the Rockets down the stretch.
Trevor Ariza (career-high 33 points) and Aaron Brooks (28 points) led the way for Rick Adelman's Rockets (2-1).
"Our guys really responded after the first we played them (Tuesday night in Portland)," said Coach Adelman. "We did a much better job today offensively. I was really happy with the way we competed."
The Rockets led the Blazers 33 to 28 at the end of the first quarter thanks to 66.7% (14 for 21) field goal shooting. Ariza scored 16 points (6 for 6 from the floor) in the opening quarter.
"I'm definitely getting more comfortable," Ariza said after the game. "I've always been a team-type player; but, my coaches and my teammates are telling me that I'm going to have to be willing to take the tough shots. I'm welcoming that."
The Rockets offense was much more effective with quick movement -- player movement and ball movement.
"When we swing the ball, when we have good energy and good ball movement on the offensive end, we're a pretty good offensive team," Shane Battier said. "We're going to score. When we don't, when we get bogged down, that's when we're going to struggle."
The Blazers (1-2) made run after run at the Rockets; but, the Rockets were able to score points at key times to keep the Blazers at arms' length.
"Ariza and Brooks did whatever they wanted," said Nate McMillan, Blazers' head coach. "They controlled the ball and made their shots. Brooks has so much speed. With any opening, he beats you."
Brooks broke down the Blazers' perimeter defense at will; and, when he got into the paint and attracted big men, Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla, to him, Brooks dished to Carl Landry for easy scores. Landry finished the game with 16 points (7 for 11 from the field).
"I was active. I moved without the ball," said Landry. "I tried to be aggressive. My teammates found me when the opportunity was given to me."
Despite 69 points from the Blazers dynamic duo (Brandon Roy - 42 points and LaMarcus Aldridge - 27 points), Portland's inability to defend the Rockets was key to the Rockets' victory.
"Houston worked really well; they cut well and executed really well," said Brandon Roy.
Aldridge added, "Brooks is so fast; and, he creates so many mismatches on the court. They made more shots and were more aggressive and won the game."
With 7:44 left in the ball game, the Rockets led the Blazers by nine points (95 to 86); but, Brandon Roy scored seven points during a 10 to 3 Blazers' run to trim the Rockets lead to just two points (98 to 96) with 5:19 remaining.
But, Ariza and Brooks stepped up and answered the chanllenge. Ariza drained a three-pointer; Brooks followed by draining a 19-foot jumper; and, after Shane Battier split two free throws, Brooks capped off the 9 - 0 run with a long 26-foot three point bucket to put the Rockets up 107 to 96 with 3:58 on the game clock.
Roy scored nine of the Blazers' final 11 points; but, his spectacular effort could not overcome the Rockets down the stretch.
posted by Kris Gardner @ 12:17 AM
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