NBA: Houston 108, Portland 81

PORTLAND, Ore., April 19 (UPI) -- Aaron Brooks scored 27 points and Yao Ming had 24 Saturday to lead Houston to a 108-81 rout of Portland in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series.

Brooks was 5-of-8 from 3-point range and Yao scored all his points in the first half for fifth-seeded the Rockets, who have been eliminated in the first round in all six of its playoff appearances dating back to 1997.

Luis Scola scored 19 points and Ron Artest had 17 for Houston, which led by 11 after one quarter and took a commanding 62-44 lead at intermission.

Brandon Roy led the Trail Blazers with 21 points. Greg Oden scored 15 for Portland, which is in the post-season for the first time since 2003.

Game 2 is set for Tuesday in Portland.