Portland Trail Blazers Team Report - March 23

(Basketball News) - The Trail Blazers had a kink put into their postseason plans Monday night, as they dropped a 93-85 overtime decision to the Houston Rockets at the Rose Garden.

Portland was outscored 10-2 in the extra session and blew a chance to pull even with Utah and Denver for the final spot in the Western Conference playoff picture, falling one game off the pace.

The Trail Blazers had won five of their last six heading into the contest.

Zach Randolph led Portland with 20 points and 11 rebounds, his 40th double- double of the season. Damon Stoudamire added 19 points and Darius Miles netted 16. Derek Anderson posted nine points, eight rebounds and five assists in the contest.

Portland couldn’t stop Yao Ming in the contest, as the big man registered 28 points and 13 rebounds. The Blazers actually recovered from a 17-point deficit in the loss. Steve Francis dropped in 22 points and 10 assists in the win for Houston.

Portland’s Theo Ratliff has tallied 88 blocks in the 20 games he has played since arriving from Atlanta in the Rasheed Wallace trade. Wallace led the team last season, with 77 blocks in 74 games.

The Blazers have a day off before returning to the court against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Rose Garden. For the year, Portland 22-13 in its friendly confines.