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LaMarcus Aldridge has huge Game 2 against Rockets, joins elite NBA company

Portland Trail Blazers power forward LaMarcus Aldridge had never scored 40 or more points in 298 career road games (including playoffs) prior to his 46-point effort in the Blazers' 122-20 Game 1 victory over the Rockets in their first-round series. Now, the three-time NBA All-Star has done it in consecutive games — thanks to a 43-point night in Portland's 112-105 win in Game 2.

Aldridge also joined some pretty elite company with the effort that helped the Blazers go up 2-0 on the No. 4 seed out West.

It should also be noted that Aldridge joined Kobe Bryant and LeBron James as the only active players to score 40 or more in consecutive playoff games. He also became just the third player in league history (after Jordan and Tracy McGrady) to put up 40-plus in Games 1 and 2 on the road.

Feeling Blue (Jackets)

Meanwhile in the Stanley Cup playoffs, Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury had no luck away from home against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Fleury left the net late in regulation in a move that led to the game-tying goal. Then, in overtime, he allowed the game-winner as Columbus won 4-3 to even the series at two games apiece.

Some people never learn

Finally in baseball, New York Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda was ejected for having a foreign substance (which he later admitted was pine tar) on his neck in a game against the Boston Red Sox. This after Pineda was accused of using the substance less than two weeks ago — against the same team!

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