Rockets at Trail Blazers
THE STORY: The Houston Rockets seem to be hitting their stride and will try for their fourth straight road victory Monday against the Portland Trail Blazers. Houston earned a 104-87 victory at Sacramento on Sunday, moving one-half game ahead of seventh-place Dallas. The Trail Blazers can only hope a return home helps erase an awful second half Saturday in a 116-94 loss Milwaukee. Portland led 63-54 at halftime but was outscored 62-31 in the second half. The Bucks scored 40 of the game's final 54 points.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, KTHX (Rockets), CS Northwest (Trail Blazers)
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (31-25): The Rockets welcomed back guard Kyle Lowry, who missed a month with a bacterial infection. Lowry had one free throw but seven assists in 17 minutes. “I was glad to be back. I wanted to play last game but coach (Kevin McHale) said no,” Lowry said. “It wasn't a break I wanted to take, but I definitely feel good.” Goran Dragic has been impressive in back-to-back games. He has shot 53.3 from the field and 43.2 percent from 3-point range in the second half of back-to-backs.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (27-30): Portland was outrebounded 49-33 by the Bucks. “We need five guys committed to rebounding,” Kaleb Canales said. “We have to give them credit. They did a good job of beating us on the boards.” The Trail Blazers have lost 22 of their last 30 games against the Rockets, including both meetings this season, but have won four of their last five against the Rockets in Portland.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. In Milwaukee, the Trail Blazers shot 68 percent in the first half, but 32.1 in the second.
2. LaMarcus Aldridge has scored at least 21 points in five games since returning from a left elbow sprain March 20.