Houston Rockets Quell Portland Trail Blazers 110-95

The Houston Rockets had appeared as if something was missing for the past two games prior.

It’s as if there was a spark that needed to be lit and I do think the team has found it.

Tonight was the debut of two of newest Rockets’ acquired via a three-team trade.

Those would be, of course, Corey Brewer and Alexey Shved.

I had pegged them to be available Saturday night against the Atlanta Hawks but that was just wishful thinking.

In some alternate reality, I was thinking that they’d miraculously clear all hurdles — such as passing their physicals — to be member of the active roster.

It had almost gotten to a level of impatience.

Especially after that tough loss against the Hawks.

But after what I saw tonight, it was worth the wait.

I would’ve loved to see this team compete with LaMarcus Aldridge in the lineup but sometimes one has to work with the hand that has been dealt.

This definitely put an advantage in the Rockets’ favor because our big man, Dwight Howard, has been active and is starting to knock rust off from the games he missed from injury.

If he had any rust to begin with…

Tonight’s game was none the exception as the Rockets started out a bit slow but hung in there took control of the basketball game and never looked back.

Damian Lillard and Wesley Matthews teamed up with free throws, a jump shot and a three-pointer respectively to construct a 6-0 to put the Blazers up 12-4.

But then Patrick Beverley stopped the run with a three, followed by a Donatas Motiejunas three and a signature James Harden driving layup to close the gap. Blazers 14, Rockets 12

Brewer checked in for the first time as a Rocket with 4:23 left in the 1st.

Dec 22, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Corey Brewer (33) shoots during the second quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Brewer’s first actions involved him committing a turnover with a bad pass and a missed finger roll layup. But he made up for with a key rebound on an ensuing possession a few minutes later and sunk a three with 11 seconds left, his first points scored with his new team.

Things remained close throughout the 1st quarter but the Rockets ended up leading at the end 37-33.

Things burst wide open with the Rockets taking charge early-in the 2nd quarter with the assistance of a Howard alley-oop of a Jason Terry pass, a Brewer drive for a layup and Terry hitting a jumper putting Rockets up by eight with 9:14 left in the half. Rockets 43, Blazers 35

The Blazers got within one point with 7:20 left after a Joel Freeland running hook but the Rockets poured it on after that.

They went on to score 73 first-half points to lead the 73-53 at the half.

It was more of the same for the third quarter as the Rockets greatest lead was by 20 points with the Blazers getting no closer than within 14 points of the Rockets lead.

With 25 seconds left, Brewer forced a turnover off a Lillard bad pass dishing it to Terry to hit a three-pointer.

It wasn’t just a three-pointer, but his 2,000th of his career putting him third on the all-time list of three-pointers made.

What a milestone for player that has been surprisingly good, helping this team win games.

The Rockets ended on top 96-76 at the end of the third.

Even more damage was done as the Rockets kept the pedal to the metal hitting the century mark with points score with 10:39 left in the 4th quarter. Rockets 100, Blazers 78

Shved checked for the first time as a Rocket with 5:16 left for Trevor Ariza.

Dec 22, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) reacts after making a basket during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Just like Brewer, Shved first bucket was a three-ball sank with 3:31 left in the game putting the Rockets up 110-88. That would be the only points he’d score in this game.

The Rockets continued to keep the Blazers at bay and won the game 110-95.

The Rockets were red-hot from the field shooting 47 percent (41-of-87), 75 percent from the free-throw line (15-of-20) and lukewarm from the beyond-the-arc at 36 percent (36 percent).

Harden led all scores with 44 points, seven dimes and five steals while shooting 14-for-26 from the field and 12-for-13 from the charity stripe in only 31 minutes of action.

Most of the starters checked out early in the 4th as the Rockets had a nice lead — luckily, Harden was able to get a rest with the way Brewer was playing.

Brewer was the spark the Rockets were looking for — he scored 12 points with four boards, four assists, five steals and a block in 22 minutes of action.

Howard threw in another double-double with 16/13 to his credit in 32 minutes of action.

Dec 22, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers center

Chris Kaman

(35) during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

This team looked highly-energized with Brewer out there and he certainly changed the whole scheme of things offensively and defensively.

He’s not needed to score, we’ve got guys for that but his defense is invaluable and he continued to make plays that were huge for the Rockets to topple the Blazers over.

What a game!