Off the wire
• News Analysis: Australian PM safe for now but his days as leader could be numbered  • Thunder trounces Clippers 131-108  • Love lifted Cavaliers past Lakers  • Africa Cup of Nations champions  • Cote d'Ivoire win Africa Cup of Nations title  • Roundup: G20 meeting warns of challenges for global economy in 2015  • Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 0600 GMT, Feb. 9  • U.S. official in S. Korea says to keep pressure on DPRK  • Sydney siege survivors speak on TV  • News Analysis: Arab world could become more involved in fight against IS  
You are here: 　 Home

Rockets fall to Trail Blazers at home

Xinhua, February 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Despite a dazzling 45-point performance by James Harden, the Houston Rockets lost to the Portland Trail Blazers 109-98 Sunday night at Toyota Center, ending their two-game home winning streak.

The two teams had a tight first quarter, with Houston leading by only one point at the end. The Blazers launched rounds of attacks in the second, quickly enlarged their advantage to double-digit figures and looked winning in every way.

Harden stood out then, leading his team to erase an once 17-point deficit by throwing in one three-pointer after another. The Rockets trailed only by one entering the last period.

Portland beefed up their defense, forcing Houston to fail in scoring three-pointers. The Rockets twice cut deficit to four points in the last three minutes, but the Blazers answered both times, securing their final victory.

Harden tied a season-high 45 points for the Rockets, who are playing without star center Dwight Howard because of a right knee injury. LaMarcus Aldridge grabbed 24 points and Damian Lillard added 23 for the Blazers. Endi