SB Nation Houston - Rockets Vs. Trailblazers: Houston Defeats Portland 103-96https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46691/houston-fave.png2012-02-08T22:14:36-06:00http://houston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/25496382012-02-08T22:14:36-06:002012-02-08T22:14:36-06:00Rockets Vs. Trail Blazers Score: Houston Takes 60-46 Lead Into Halftime
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a> used a big second quarter to take a 60-46 lead over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> at halftime. The Rockets used a balanced offensive attack in the first half with at least five players scoring nine points. The Rockets lead despite a tough first half from leading scorer <span>Kevin Martin</span> who has just two points at the break. </p>
<p><span>Chase Budinger</span> came off the bench to lead the Rockets with 13 points. <span>Luis Scola</span> added 10 points while <span>Kyle Lowry</span>, <span>Courtney Lee</span> and <span>Patrick Patterson</span> all finished with nine. Houston hit 59 percent of its shot attempts in the first half including 7-12 shooting from three-point range. Houston recorded 20 assists on 26 made buckets in the first half. </p>
<p>Portland shot the ball well in the first half also but turned the ball over 12 times and wasn't able to slow down the Rockets on the defensive end of the floor. <span>Raymond Felton</span> leads the Blazers with nine points at the half. <span>Gerald Wallace</span> and <span>Jamal Crawford</span> each finished with eight at the intermission. </p>
<p><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on the Houston Rockets, be sure to visit <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #365317; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://thedreamshake.com/">The Dream Shake</a>. For Portland Trailblazers news and info, go to <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #365317; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://blazersedge.com/">Blazer's Edge</a>. For all you NBA news and notes, check out SB Nation's <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #365317; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://sbnation.com/nba">NBA page</a>.</i></p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-rockets/2012/2/8/2786241/rockets-vs-trail-blazers-2012-scoreKris Willis2012-02-08T16:58:51-06:002012-02-08T16:58:51-06:00NBA MVP 2012 Power Rankings: Kyle Lowry The All-Star, The MVP Candidate
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a> are 14-11 this season and 11-4 since January 11th. While Houston can attribute some of their success to the newly installed frontcourt duo of <span>Luis Scola</span> and <span>Samuel Dalembert</span>, the tutelage of Kevin McHale and role players like <span>Chase Budinger</span> taking their games to new levels, the biggest shift in the team has been the emergence of <span>Kyle Lowry</span> as their starting point guard.</p>
<p>Lowry was the next in line after <span>Aaron Brooks</span> left the Rockets, now starting full-time the point guard from Villanova is <a target="_blank" href="http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2012/02/rockets-lowry-martin-harbor-all-star-hopes/">being considered for an all-star spot</a>:</p>
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<p>"It would mean a lot," said Lowry, who is averaging 14.9 points, eight assists, six rebounds and two steals. "It’s very humbling to even be considered in that type of category. It’s a testament to how hard I worked and what I put into my game to try to be the best I can be at all times. If I made it, it would be a big accomplishment. I would be ecstatic. I would be really, really happy. You wouldn’t even understand how happy I’d be. If I didn’t, I’d understand. It just wasn’t my time."</p>
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<p>Lowry is also beginning to be recognized for lifting his team to new heights, as he continues to stick on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2012/1/25/2732023/nba-mvp-power-rankings-kyle-lowry-kyrie-irving">Tom Ziller's MVP Rankings</a>. Lowry is No. 7 this week:</p>
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<td><b>7.</b></td>
<td><b>Kyle Lowry</b></td>
<td><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../nba/teams/houston-rockets">Rockets</a></b></td>
<td><b>16.5 points on .564 TS%, 8.7 assists, 6.9 rebounds, 2.1 steals</b></td>
<td><b>10</b></td>
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<td colspan="5">The Rockets are now reflecting Lowry's genius, riding a hot streak into the playoff seeds. If Lowry and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../nba/players/21618/kevin-martin">Kevin Martin</a> can carry Houston all of the way into the postseason in Kevin McHale's first full season as a head coach, a whole lot of crow will be eaten around the league.</td>
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<p><i>For more on the Houston Rockets, be sure to visit <a href="http://thedreamshake.com/">The Dream Shake</a>. For Portland Trailblazers news and info, go to <a href="http://blazersedge.com/">Blazer's Edge</a>. For all you NBA news and notes, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba">NBA page</a>.</i></p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-rockets/2012/2/8/2785602/nba-mvp-2012-power-rankings-kyle-lowry-the-all-star-the-mvp-candidateEddie Maisonet2012-02-08T08:08:53-06:002012-02-08T08:08:53-06:00Rockets Vs. Trailblazers: Game Preview, TV Info And More
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<p>Houston continues their six game road trip through the west with a stop in Portland, where the Blazers are 11-2 at home this season.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a> will travel to Portland, where the Trailblazers will close a three game homestand Wednesday night after a 111-107 loss to the <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Thunder</a> dropped Portland's home record to 11-2 this season. The Rockets arrive after a 99-90 road win against the <a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Nuggets</a> on Monday night, led by <span>Luis Scola</span> (25 points) and <span>Kyle Lowry</span> (20 points). Houston is currently on a six game road trip.</p>
<p><b>More: <a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2012/2/8/2782187/game-26-preview-houston-rockets-vs-portland-trail-blazers?utm_source=article&utm_medium=position2&utm_campaign=relatedlinks"><i>Rockets vs. Blazers preview</i></a></b></p>
<p>Portland could be without <span>Marcus Camby</span> tonight, as the veteran missed Tuesday's practice with bronchitis. He missed the Blazers' game at Houston earlier this season with an ankle injury. Houston broke a four game losing streak in Portland last March, winning 103-87.</p>
<p><b>Time / date: </b>Wednesday, February 8, 9 p.m. CT</p>
<p><b>Location: </b>The Rose Garden, Portland, Oregon</p>
<p><b>TV:</b> NBA TV</p>
<p><b>Radio:</b> Rockets Radio Network</p>
<p><b>Streaming: </b>n/a</p>
<p><b>Line:</b> (Portland -7.5)</p>
<p><i>For more on the Houston Rockets, be sure to visit <a href="http://thedreamshake.com">The Dream Shake</a>. For Portland Trailblazers news and info, go to <a href="http://blazersedge.com">Blazer's Edge</a>. For all you NBA news and notes, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba">NBA page</a>.</i></p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-rockets/2012/2/8/2784375/rockets-vs-trailblazers-game-preview-tv-info-and-moreSteven Godfrey