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HOUSTON (The Associated Press) - By MICHAEL A. LUTZ Trevor Ariza scored a career-high 33 points, Aaron Brooks added 28 points and the Houston Rockets held on to beat the Portland Trail Blazers at home for the fifth straight time in the regular season, 111-107 on Saturday night.
Houston had to overcome a 42-point performance by Brandon Roy and a determined Trail Blazers offense that kept the game close to the end. Ariza's previous career high was 26 points, last accomplished March 15 for the Los Angeles Lakers against Dallas.
The Rockets hit 12 of 24 3-point baskets and shot 50.6 percent overall for the game. Ariza was 5 for 8 from 3-point range.
Houston led 59-54 at the half and never lost the lead. Portland got to 87-84 early in the fourth quarter but never could push ahead. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 27 points for the Trail Blazers and Andre Miller had 15.
Brooks' 28 points missed his career high of 30 last March 6 against Phoenix.
The Rockets led by 11 early in the second quarter and they were up 54-44 with 2:20 remaining in the first half. Roy had eight second quarter points, including a pair of 3-pointers down the stretch to keep it close at the half with the Rockets leading 59-54.
Ariza broke loose with 16 points in the first quarter to help the Rockets take a 33-28 lead.
Aldridge hit his first five shots and the Trail Blazers took the early lead, hitting 12 of their first 14 points in the paint.
The Rockets knocked the Trail Blazers out of the playoffs last year with a 4-2 series win in the first round.
NOTES: Rockets coach Rick Adelman still ranks as the second winningest coach in Trail Blazers history (291-154) behind Jack Ramsay. Portlands loss to Denver on Thursday came despite holding a 43-42 halftime lead. Portland was unbeaten (26-0) last season when leading at halftime at the Rose Garden. Portland plays 19 back-to-backs this season. They were 23-4 last year in the second game of back-to-backs.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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