Advertisement

Portland 77; Houston 71

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 27 (UPI) -- The Portland Trail Blazers had their best defensive performance of the season Tuesday night, and used a balanced attack for a 77-71 victory over the Houston Rockets for their fourth win in five games.

Forward Ruben Patterson was benched after his arrest on felony domestic assault charges Monday. That came just four days after forward Rasheed Wallace and guard Damon Stoudamire were stopped for speeding and arrested on marijuana charges.

Advertisement

Coach Maurice Cheeks has juggled his rotation, having Stoudamire join fellow point guards Jeff McInnis and Antonio Daniels on the bench and giving more playing time to young power forward Zach Randolph.

Through it all, the Blazers have continued to defend, allowing an average of just 84.1 points per contest over their last 10 games and surrendering more than 88 just once in that span. It was more of the same Tuesday as Portland limited Houston to 35.5 percent (27-of-76) from the field.

Wallace scored 16 points, Scottie Pippen added 14, and Derek Anderson 12 and nine assists for the Blazers, who avenged an 86-83 loss at Houston on Nov. 12.

Advertisement

Guard Steve Francis led the Rockets with 19 points.

Latest Headlines