NBA: Houston 98, Portland 94

HOUSTON, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Ron Artest scored 21 points Tuesday and the Houston Rockets fended off a late rally by the Portland Trail Blazers for a 98-94 victory.

Luis Scola notched his fifth consecutive double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds to help Houston to its fifth straight win. Yao Ming added 15 points and eight rebounds. Aaron Brooks had 20 points.

Houston was without swingman Tracy McGrady, who had season-ending microfracture surgery on his injured left knee Tuesday. McGrady said on his Web site that "by all accounts it was a success."

Brandon Roy had a game-best 24 points for the Blazers, whose three-game win streak ended. LaMarcus Aldridge had 21 points and eight rebounds.

Roy's layup pulled the Blazers to within 92-90 with 22 seconds left, but Brooks hit two free throws to make it a four-point game and Houston held on from there.

The Rockets led 31-21 after the first quarter, 60-43 at halftime and 78-69 heading into the final frame.