The Houston Rockets showcased their dominance with a commanding 125-103 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night. Jalen Green led the charge with 26 points, helping Houston improve to 28-13 on the season, while Portland dropped its fifth straight game, falling to 13-28.
Alperen Sengun delivered a stellar performance, recording 23 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists. The Rockets’ depth also shined as Tari Eason contributed 18 points and eight rebounds off the bench, while Cam Whitmore added 12 points and 10 boards. Dillon Brooks chipped in 22 points, hitting 9 of 18 shots, and Fred VanVleet returned to action with nine points after missing the previous game.
Portland’s Scoot Henderson led his team with 21 points and 11 assists off the bench, while Toumani Camara tallied 17 points and five rebounds. Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe each scored 13 points, but the Blazers struggled to find consistent offense, shooting just 33.3% from beyond the arc.
The game remained tight in the first half, with Houston holding a narrow 51-50 advantage at halftime. However, the Rockets surged ahead in the third quarter, outscoring Portland 36-23 behind Sengun’s dominant stretch.
Houston controlled the glass, outrebounding Portland 61-40, with 23 offensive rebounds that generated second-chance opportunities.
Portland faced additional challenges with several key players unavailable. Deni Avdija missed his third game due to a right ankle sprain, while Deandre Ayton remained sidelined with lower back soreness. Jerami Grant, returning from a nine-game absence, managed just seven points in 25 minutes.
The Rockets’ defensive effort played a significant role in the victory, limiting Portland’s key scorers and forcing 19 turnovers.
