Outlaw sparks Blazers over Rockets 96-87

By ANNE M. PETERSON, AP Sports Writer Oct 28, 1:50 am EDT

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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)—Greg Oden(notes) followed his orders, putting defense and rebounding first.

Oden scored just two points, a tip with 58 seconds left, but had 12 rebounds and five blocked shots for the Portland Trail Blazers in a 96-87 season-opening victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night.

“You definitely want a lot more points,” Oden said. “But I think I did a lot of good things that don’t show up on the scoreboard or in the stats.”

Reserve Travis Outlaw(notes) scored 23 points and Brandon Roy(notes) added 20 points and five assists for the Blazers. Portland hit 20 of 22 free throws and outrebounded Houston 51-33.

Aaron Brooks(notes) had 19 points for the Rockets, who defeated Portland in six games this past spring in the first round of the playoffs.

That was a much different Houston team, though. Rockets center Yao Ming(notes) is out for the season after offseason foot surgery, and Ron Artest(notes)—who pestered the Blazers—left for the Lakers as a free agent.

Houston also remains without former All-Star Tracy McGrady(notes), who had microfracture surgery on his left knee and isn’t expected to return until midseason.

The absence of Yao presented matchup problems for the Rockets in trying to defend the 7-foot Oden. Houston started 6-foot-6 Chuck Hayes(notes) at center.

Oden, who was the No. 1 draft pick in 2007 but missed his rookie season because of microfracture surgery on his knee, played off the bench for most of last season but wrested the starting job away from Joel Przybilla(notes) this fall.

The emphasis for Oden—and the rest of the Blazers—was defense, according to the directive from coach Nate McMillan. Even though Oden had five fouls late in the game, he kept reaching for blocks.

“That’s the commitment, getting involved in the game on the defensive end of the floor, not the offensive end of the floor. Offensive players want to see that ball go in the basket before they get into the game,” McMillan said. “We want to change that thought process this year and get into the game on the defensive end of the floor. I thought our guys did that.”

But there were problems. The Blazers had 26 turnovers and they let the Rockets pull within six points at the end.

“We had a pretty good combination out there that attacked them a little bit,” Houston coach Rick Adelman said. “But they really helped us by turning it over like they did.”

The Blazers were without Nicolas Batum(notes), who was set to be a starting forward until Monday, when it was announced that he would need shoulder surgery and would miss at least three months.

In his place the Blazers started Martell Webster(notes), who missed all but a few minutes of last season because of a foot injury. Webster finished with 14 points.

The Blazers pulled ahead in the first quarter until Trevor Ariza’s(notes) 3-pointer tied it at 20 for Houston. Ariza signed with the Rockets as a free agent in the offseason after spending last season in Los Angeles.

But Outlaw hit on a dunk, a 3-pointer and another dunk to put Portland ahead 30-23 and kick off a 23-7 run that made it 46-30. The Blazers went on to lead 54-41 at the break. Outlaw had 14 points in the first half.

Blazers swingman Rudy Fernandez(notes), who missed much of the preseason because of back spasms, hit a 3-pointer to make it 67-48.

The Rockets narrowed it to 89-83 late in the game after Chase Budinger’s(notes) dunk and a pair of free throws from fellow rookie David Anderson, but couldn’t pull any closer.

“We built the lead, but the biggest thing is we didn’t put them away when we had a chance to,” Roy said. “Then again, it’s the first game and we’re just happy to have this win even though it was sloppy. It’s one under our belts.”

The Rockets defeated the Blazers 4-2 in the playoffs, claiming their first postseason series victory since 1997. Houston lost in the conference semifinals to the eventual NBA champion Lakers.

Portland had not been to the playoffs since 2003.

Notes: Portland’s 26 turnovers were more than they had in any game last season. “This will probably be the last game we win with 26 turnovers,” McMillan said. … Przybilla fouled out with 7:03 left. … Houston’s Brooks played at the University of Oregon. … The Rockets have a rough start to the season. They play the second of a back-to-back at Golden State on Wednesday, then face the Blazers again for their home opener on Halloween before visiting Utah and finally hosting the defending champion Lakers on Nov. 4. “After five games we’re going to figure out who we are,” Adelman said.

Updated Oct 28, 1:50 am EDT
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50 Comments

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  1. <i>christopher_mincemoyer</i>
    50. Posted by christopher_mincemoyer Wed Oct 28 10:40pm EDT

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    5 Blocks, 12 rebounds, 1 assist in only 26 minutes. And still so much Oden hate! Other than Outlaw, Oden's was a top performance.
  2. Steven
    49. Posted by Steven Wed Oct 28 8:18pm EDT

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    oden is the next kareem abdul jabber!
  3. Sarge
    48. Posted by Sarge Wed Oct 28 8:07pm EDT

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    Austin, Portland was tied for 2nd in the West last year, and they are better this year. I think Steve Blake was the ONLY starter to have EVER played in a playoff game, otherwise I think they would have won the series against the Rockets. They REALLY sucked in that first game, they'll do MUCH better this year in the playoffs.
  4. John
    47. Posted by John Wed Oct 28 6:58pm EDT

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    Last nights game was a good start for the Blazers and showed what the season holds for the Rockets. Oden does not need to score a bunch right now, the points will come. As long as he rebounds and blocks shots like he did last night the Blazers are going to have a good year, especially when any guy on this team can step up and play the way Outlaw did.

    GO BLAZERS!!!
  5. Austin W
    46. Posted by Austin W Wed Oct 28 6:28pm EDT

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    What is this talk about Oden playing well ? If this is good then I feel sorry for Blazer fans.
    The good: 5 blocks
    The bad: 2 points, 7 turnovers, 1 assist, 5 fouls.

    He was also playing against a C in a SF body, I expect him to be dominant on the glass (12 rebs).
    Someone said Blazers top 3 in the West ? Huh ? Ever heard of the Lakers ? Spurs ? Mavs ? Hornets ?
    They might get home court in the 1st round.
  6. matthew
    45. Posted by matthew Wed Oct 28 5:00pm EDT

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    Wtf No disrespect to Chuck Hayes, He is a important role player for the Rockets, but he is not a center He's 6'6' with limited offensive skills, Would like to see the rockets get front line depth, Yao Ming And Tracy Have really dissapointed me because their never healthy, How long can the organization, fans and city wait 2013 the window is closing on the Yao/T
  7. Henry H
    44. Posted by Henry H Wed Oct 28 4:58pm EDT

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    Daved, your scintillating wit and incisive commentary far outstrip anything I could ever hope to put down in words here. Consider the debate won handily by your eminent self. I hereby declare myself retarded and in dire need of public assistance -- we can only hope I get the help I need. This will be my last words on the subject, since your soaring rhetoric renders all other opinions completely worthless.
  8. Brian L
    43. Posted by Brian L Wed Oct 28 3:31pm EDT

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    Retarded rockets fans, when houston has one of the worst records in the league, likely worst in the west, you'll all be sucking yao's bleep when he comes back.

    you're like that ho that says a guy aint @#$% but when he's around you call him daddy.
  9. Brian L
    42. Posted by Brian L Wed Oct 28 3:28pm EDT

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    tHAT guy Budinger has range and hops. Seems kinda tough too. Would have liked to see him in Chicago.
  10. Daved
    41. Posted by Daved Wed Oct 28 3:20pm EDT

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    Henry is even more retarded then I thought!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  11. BasketballFan88
    40. Posted by BasketballFan88 Wed Oct 28 2:47pm EDT

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    Considering the lack of front line depth by the Rockets. Oden could've dominated the boards and scored 15 - 17 points per game 15-20 rebounds per game.
  12. Henry H
    39. Posted by Henry H Wed Oct 28 2:12pm EDT

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    Hey KAVITA, Daved, and Camel Joe, it'd be a blast to one-up you with the name-calling, but I won't stoop as low as you. Let it suffice to say that you've made a major error responding that way. Disagreement isn't so scary that you have to lash out and get away from the substance of comments. If when faced with a contrary opinion all we can do is tell others to "shut the fck up," the world is in a heap of trouble. (Of course, the world *is* in trouble.) Take a look at how others here respectfully, yet forcefully, disagreed with my assessment. And take a lesson. And hey, Matt A., learn to read for sarcasm and hyperbole. Good grief...
  13. nob
    38. Posted by nob Wed Oct 28 2:09pm EDT

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    A win to start the season was great, although there are obviously some things to be worked out (26 turnovers!!, missed layups, etc.). First regular season game cobwebs to clear. Oden is playing with so much more confidence, and Travis is obviously trying to shut-up the fans who want him traded. It was great to see him come off the bench and be the high scorer of the night. Now we need to look to Thursday night and the Nuggets, who we are going to be in a war with for Division Champs. (and PS- I was at the game and the Rose Garden seemed quieter than usual, lets have no more of that!)
  14. paa
    37. Posted by paa Wed Oct 28 2:06pm EDT

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    Good start by Portland, GO BLAZERS!!! Important fact is Greg Oden is healthy & its about time he intimidate the lane. Lamarcus Aldrige is a softy player who seldom mix it up under the basket & that makes Portland vulnerable when Oden was out of commission before.
  15. timothy
    36. Posted by timothy Wed Oct 28 12:34pm EDT

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    Greg Oden only had two points...who cares, not everyone HAS to be a scorer for this team to win...what he did do isn't even put in the boxscore...making guys alter their shots to get over his outstretched arms....houston only shot 37% because of Oden. Basketball basics, make it tough for the other team to score, you will win more
  16. Kenny
    35. Posted by Kenny Wed Oct 28 12:23pm EDT

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    #3...Really?

    "This Team Is Built As A "TEAM"-That's Adelman's Way-We Are NOT The Lakers Or Cav's Or Magic Who Have One Key Player They Depend On,We Are A Team And Teams Win Championships Not One Key Player."

    All I know, is that all of the above mentioned teams either played for the conference championsip, won a conference championship, or won the NBA Championship last year. What did Houston win again? lol
  17. Jim A
    33. Posted by Jim A Wed Oct 28 11:40am EDT

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    You have a lot of fans in Seattle.

    Go Nate, Brandon, Martell, and all the rest of the Blazers!
  18. Jose
    32. Posted by Jose Wed Oct 28 11:36am EDT

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    greg oden just needs to imporove his offense and portland is going to be top 3 in the WEST real talk.
  19. Odenesque
    31. Posted by Odenesque Wed Oct 28 11:29am EDT

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    It's a great day to be a Blazer!!!!!!
  20. Mitch
    30. Posted by Mitch Wed Oct 28 11:22am EDT

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    26 turnovers,yikes!!!!!!!!!! lets clean it up boys and dominate.
  21. Matta G
    29. Posted by Matta G Wed Oct 28 10:46am EDT

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    Texas Hurricane,

    Obviously you don't think Yao is the key. I think you are an idiot. Without Yao, we lack: 1) an inside, low post threat that we can lean on, not to mention a guy who is money from the line. There isn't a SINGLE player in this league that can guard him around the basket effectively. 2) An inside defensive presence. Yao's big body takes up a lot of space and presents makes it very difficult to score on the low post for opposing teams. He may not block a lot of shots, but he changes plenty and causes guys to miss. All of these things were apparent last night and the Rockets are in for a LONG season.

    Then, in the next sentence, you say that Adelman builds winning teams out of nobodys. Uh, really? Last year was a team of nobodys? Brooks, Scola, Yao, Artest, Battier, you call that a team of overpaid undertalented chumps that somehow Adelman got to play above their level? Again, you are a fool. That was a GREAT team, and certainly not one comprised of no name scrubs.

    The 22 game streak was two years ago, man, doesn't really have any bearing on the team right now. I guess you are referencing it because you want to show the Rox don't need Yao. Tell me, genius, how do the Rockets win 22 straight without T-Mac? Answer: they don't. Yet you discount him as if he doesn't even matter by calling him "McLazy". Check our record without both Yao and McGrady. The Rox are chumps when both of them are hurt.

    And hey, did you even watch the playoffs last year? The Lakers didn't just win with Kobe. They had Gasol. They had Ariza. They had Fisher. Obviously you know very little about the game if you can't see that the Lakers had an awesome supporting cast around Kobe, which in turn made him better. There is no team in this league that can win it all with just one guy. If you believe that, then your basketball IQ is in the mentally retarded range and Cleveland would be the reigning champs.
  22. scuba steve
    28. Posted by scuba steve Wed Oct 28 10:34am EDT

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    Go blazers!
  23. Ron L
    27. Posted by Ron L Wed Oct 28 9:13am EDT

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    For Houston"s sake, I hope # 6 - att, is not a Rockets fan. Saying these racists remarks to their best player, I feel sorry for the team and the city.
  24. chillyfromphilly
    26. Posted by chillyfromphilly Wed Oct 28 8:36am EDT

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    im not a blazers fan, but i'd like to see oden become a low post threat only because those type of players are throwbacks now( dwight howard, shaq, duncan) seems like every player 6'9 and up wants to shoot jumpers and 3's. nobody wants to post up anymore.its become a jump shooting league
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Top Performers

 Top Performers
 Houston
A. Brooks Aaron Brooks
8-17,  19 Pts
3 Rebs, 5 Assists
 Portland
T. Outlaw Travis Outlaw
9-14,  23 Pts
4 Rebs, 2 Assists

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