Houston Rockets Falter Against Portland Trail Blazers 109-98

The Houston Rockets came into Toyota Center tonight winning six of their last seven games after having a tremendously solid week.

Although the Rockets had the Milwaukee Bucks firmly in check Friday night, it was the horrendous 4th quarter that caused them to close within three points down the stretch before the end of the game.

The Rockets missed 15-of-19 shots in that quarter but made 11-for-14 free throws to keep the fighting Bucks at bay.

I never was in any doubt that they wouldn’t be able to win that game but it had concerned that they hadn’t put them away yet.

But that’s why you play the games and fans were certainly treated to another photo finish.

Anyway, the Rockets faced the Portland Trail Blazers, a top Western Conference nemesis.

The Rockets started out clanking the rims a bit but finally got it going a few minutes into the 1st quarter.

Both teams were seriously going at it until about the 5:47 mark where they went on a 6-0 run to lead 19-11 after a Josh Smith slam.

But the Blazers answered to cut their deficit to two with after a LaMarcus Aldridge turnaround hook and a couple of Steve Blake buckets with 1:28 left. Rockets 25, Blazers 23

Feb 8, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard

James Harden

(13) attempts to drive the ball around Portland Trail Blazers guard

Will Barton

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

James Harden put the Rockets back up by four after sinking two free throws off a Will Barton foul. Rockets 27, Rockets 23

But with 19 seconds left, McCollum hit a three-pointer that closed their gap 27-26 as the 1st quarter came to an end.

At the start of the 2nd, things remained tight until McCollum started an 12-3 run that put Blazers up 51-40 with 3:40 left.

At one point, the Harden was the only Rocket that provided some type of offense to keep the team within the game.

He continued seize opportunities to score as he always does but he needed some help and wasn’t getting much of it at that time.

The Rockets slipped even more to fall to a 13-point deficit at the end of the 1st half.

It would’ve been 16 points had it not been for Harden hitting a three with 10 seconds to go in the 2nd. Halftime score: Blazers 61, Rockets 48

The Blazers were in control at the start of the 3rd, but it was full steam ahead for the Rockets as they went on a 10-2 run at the midpoint of the quarter lead by a Harden drive in the paint to close within seven points. Blazers 75, Rockets 68

The Rockets continued to tighten up their defense and find ways to score and the team finally tied the game at 79-all after a J-Smoove three-pointer.

Aldridge answered with a layup after grabbing the offensive rebound making the score 81-79 Blazers.

Feb 8, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward

LaMarcus Aldridge

(12) shoots the ball during the first quarter as Houston Rockets forward

Donatas Motiejunas

(20) defends at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Harden did get fouled off Meyers Leonard foul but the play was under review to determine if it warranted a call higher than a common foul.

The call was ruled as such as Harden went to the line for two.

Beard missed the first attempt but made the second to pull the Rockets within one at the end of the third. Blazers 81, Rockets 80

It was a notable third quarter for the Rockets, outscoring the Blazers 32-20, out-rebounding them 13-3.

The game was close early into the 4th quarter but the Blazers got hot as the Rockets cooled off a bit taking the lead by as much as nine with 4:28 to go.

But Harden hit another three along with a Donatas Motiejunas dunk to close within four with 1:50 left. Blazers 100, Rockets 96

Then the Blazers threw everything they had to put the team away as they went on a 11-2 run to close out the game winning 109-98.

Harden was the only Rocket that scored in those final two minutes or so.

Feb 8, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward

Josh Smith

(5) attempts to steal the ball from Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the third quarter at Toyota Center. The Trail Blazers defeated the Rockets 109-98. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

This certainly wasn’t how the Rockets planned this one to end and without the Beard this game would’ve been ugly.

But there are two more games in this series and they’re both up in Rip City.

Their next meeting is March 11.

The Beard undoubtedly led the way with 45 points, nine rebounds and eight dimes going a whopping 19-for-23 from the charity stripe!

J-Smoove had 16 points, five rebounds and four assists off 6-for-12 field goal shooting and 4-for-7 from behind-the-arc in 28 minutes of action.