McGrady hurts back, but Rockets breeze by Blazers

Tracy McGrady added 18 points before leaving in third quarter with a back problem for the Rockets, who beat Portland for a ninth straight time. This was the third time this season McGrady left a game after his back acted up. Houston was in control, 72-61, when McGrady exited.

David Wesley added 12 points for Houston while Juwan Howard netted 11 and 11 rebounds in the win. The Rockets have won two straight and 12 of their last 16 games.

Steve Blake poured in 23 points for the Blazers, who have dropped 12 of their last 14. Zach Randolph deposited 15 points and pulled down eight rebounds in the loss.

After a very uneven first half, the Rockets regrouped and dominated the final two quarters. Houston put together an excellent third quarter, in which the Rockets outscored Portland, 37-22, to take back control of the game.

The Rockets led by 14, 76-62, heading into the final frame and continued to pull away. Luther Head buried a long triple with just over 10 minutes remaining to extend the cushion to 16, 81-65.

Howard’s jumper with 3:55 left on the clock gave Houston its largest lead of the game, 92-70.

Portland never seriously threatened the rest of the way as the Rockets coasted to the victory.

Houston raced out to a 25-12 lead after the first 12 minutes, but had a woeful second quarter enabling Portland to jump right back into the game by intermission.

Blake scored 11 of the Blazers’ final 13 points in the half as Portland came all the way back and took a 40-39 edge into the locker room.

Game Notes

Portland has lost five straight and nine of its last 10 road games. The Blazers own a terrible 6-24 mark on the road this season...The Rockets won the battle of the boards, 47-37.