Trail Blazers 116, Rockets 103
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Guard Damian Lillard scored 31 points and handed out nine assists as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Houston Rockets 116-103 Wednesday night at the Moda Center.
Forward Moe Harkless notched season highs in points (19) and rebounds (13) for the Trail Blazers (27-27), who moved past the Rockets (27-28) in the Western Conference standings. Portland, 12-3 in its past 15 games, climbed into a tie with Utah (26-26) for seventh place in the West.
Guard James Harden collected 34 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds, and center Dwight Howard scored 28 points and pulled down 13 rebounds for Houston, which lost for the sixth time in eight games.
Lillard scored 15 points as Portland swept to a 57-46 advantage at intermission. Howard scored 18 points and Harden 15 for the Rockets, who had 13 turnovers in the half.
The Blazers used a 7-0 spurt to hike their edge to 68-51 early in the third quarter. Harkless scored on a put-back to increase the difference to 86-65 with four minutes left in the quarter.
Houston used a 9-1 run to draw within 87-74. Portland carried a 92-81 advantage into the final period.
Guard Jason Terry knocked down a pair of 3-pointers as the Rockets closed within 93-88 early in the fourth quarter. Portland answered with seven consecutive points to make it 100-88 with 6:50 left. The Rockets got no closer.
Houston led 20-13 when a Lillard trey started a 7-0 Portland run to tie the game at 20-20. The Rockets went back ahead 26-22, with Harden (15) and Howard (11) accounting for all of their points.
The score was tied 29-29 after one quarter.
The Blazers scored 10 in a row to break a 42-42 tie and go ahead 52-42. Portland took an 11-point lead into the half.
NOTES: Portland F Noah Vonleh returned to duty after missing the previous three games with a sprained ankle. ... Houston F Terrence Jones (concussion) missed his fourth consecutive game. Interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff sounded hopeful Jones would rejoin the Rockets after the All-Star break. "We miss his versatility," Bickerstaff said of the 6-foot-9, 250-pound power forward. "He can defend smalls on the perimeter. He makes them pay on the interior with his offensive rebounding. He has the ability to score and play-make." ... Portland coach Terry Stotts said he doesn't want his players to get full of themselves over their recent winning fortunes. "Just as during our seven-game losing streak (in November), we can't get too wrapped up in that," Stotts said. "We needed to stay in the process and keep working to get better. I like the growth we've shown over the last six weeks."