Ariza scores a career-high 33 points for Rockets

By MICHAEL A. LUTZ, For The Associated Press Nov 1, 12:37 am EDT

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HOUSTON (AP)—No Yao Ming(notes). No Tracy McGrady(notes). No problem for the Houston Rockets.

Trevor Ariza(notes), making the move from the Lakers this season, scored a career high 33 points, Aaron Brooks(notes) added 28 points and the Rockets held on to beat the Portland Trail Blazers at home for the fifth straight time in regular season, 111-107 Saturday night.

“I know it was an important game for us,” Ariza said. “They (Portland) are one of the better teams in the West with a lot of talent, too. It was bigger for us to win at home tonight.”

Yao is out for the season following foot surgery and McGrady is recovering from knee surgery, leaving the Rockets to find ways to win games without their big guys.

“We’ve got a pretty young team and we’ve got a bunch of new faces on this team so the scouting report is not that big,” Carl Landry(notes) said. “We’ve got guys that are hungry who are going out there every night and fighting hard to get us in the ‘W’ column.”

Houston had to overcome a 42-point performance by Brandon Roy(notes) and a determined Trail Blazers offense that kept the game close to the end.

“Ariza and Brooks did whatever they wanted,” Portland coach Nate McMillan said. “They controlled the ball and made their shots.”

Ariza’s previous career high was 26 points last March 15 for the Los Angeles Lakers against Dallas.

The Rockets hit 12 of 24 3-point baskets and shot 50.6 percent overall for the game. Ariza was 5 for 8 from 3-point range.

Ariza started 20 games for the Lakers last season. He expects to see more playing time with the Rockets. He already likes the fast pace.

“If that’s what it takes for us to win then that is how we need to play,” Ariza said. “No matter how tired we are, no matter what the situation is or what the odds are. If we want to win, we have to play that way every night.”

Houston led 59-54 at the half and never lost the lead. Portland got to 87-84 early in the fourth quarter but never could push ahead. LaMarcus Aldridge(notes) scored 27 points for the Trail Blazers and Andre Miller(notes) had 15.

Brooks’ 28 points missed his career high of 30 last March 6 against Phoenix.

The Rockets led by 11 early in the second quarter and they were up 54-44 with 2:20 remaining in the first half. Roy had eight second quarter points, including a pair of 3-pointers down the stretch to keep it close at the half with the Rockets leading 59-54.

“Right from the start, we were in trouble giving up 33 points in the first quarter,” McMillan said. “Our transition game is important and we never controlled the ball. Houston got to the basket and made their shots.”

Ariza broke loose with 16 first quarter points to get the Rockets started. He was 6 for 6 from 2-point range and hit both 3-pointers, and the Rockets eased to a 33-28 first quarter lead.

Aldridge hit his first five shots, and the Trail Blazers took the early lead, hitting 12 of their first 14 points in the paint.

The Rockets knocked the Trail Blazers out of the playoffs last year with a 4-2 series win in the first round.

“Our defense was not very good, right now we’re not giving much effort on the defensive end and that’s where it starts,” Roy said. “It doesn’t seem like our effort is there. I see a team that’s stinking too much right now.”

NOTES: Rockets coach Rick Adelman still ranks as the second winningest coach in Trail Blazers history (291-154) behind Jack Ramsay. Portland’s loss to Denver on Thursday came despite a 43-42 halftime Trail Blazer lead. Portland was unbeaten (26-0) last season when leading at halftime at the Rose Garden. Portland plays 19 back-to-backs this season. They were 23-4 last year in the second game of back-to-backs.

Updated Nov 1, 12:37 am EDT
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48 Comments

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  1. AnthonyM
    48. Posted by AnthonyM Sun Nov 1 3:03pm EST

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    How embarrasing...The Blazers are starting off on the wrong foot...or is it the bad feet and legs of Greg Odon..Odon needs to be traded now..He is no good to the team, only a liability. They still lack the physicall play inside. McMillan has them playing to finness.
  2. give_and_go
    47. Posted by give_and_go Sun Nov 1 2:33pm EST

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    Too bad for the Lakers. They let one of the good ones go. I'd prefer Ariza over Artest every day of the week.
  3. Mr. Chevelle
    46. Posted by Mr. Chevelle Sun Nov 1 2:03pm EST

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    Lakers need Artest's defense, not Arizas offense. Glad Ariza is getting to score in Houston.
  4. G smacktalk
    45. Posted by G smacktalk Sun Nov 1 1:53pm EST

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    Sped things up.
  5. king of the court 17
    44. Posted by king of the court 17 Sun Nov 1 12:42pm EST

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    i say the trail blazers will make it to the nba finals this year vs the cavliers
  6. peter
    43. Posted by peter Sun Nov 1 12:03pm EST

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    hey! fakers, got ariza.ha ha
  7. <i>jgreig5</i>
    42. Posted by jgreig5 Sun Nov 1 12:03pm EST

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    We won that game last, but boy, the refs really did try to keep Portland in the game. I think there is some truth to some of Donaghy's referee stories. If Shaq is allowed to become a police officer, he should head straight to the NBA's front office. Tons of criminals there.
  8. Dexter
    41. Posted by Dexter Sun Nov 1 11:20am EST

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    kobe bryant is the reason why trevor is good player ayt now..he learn so much for kobe..thats why im thinking why dont lebron and melo go to lakers to win ring and 2be good like kobe..
  9. Dexter
    40. Posted by Dexter Sun Nov 1 11:20am EST

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    kobe bryant is the reason why trevor is good player ayt now..he learn so much for kobe..thats why im thinking why dont lebron and melo go to lakers to win ring and 2be good like kobe..
  10. Dexter
    39. Posted by Dexter Sun Nov 1 11:20am EST

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    kobe bryant is the reason why trevor is good player ayt now..he learn so much for kobe..thats why im thinking why dont lebron and melo go to lakers to win ring and 2be good like kobe..
  11. Dexter
    38. Posted by Dexter Sun Nov 1 10:56am EST

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    i hope rockets can keept up til the end of the season..my man trevor had a good game it will be interesting ariza vs bryant that will be a great match since trevor knows well kobe's game..
  12. <i>vondior</i>
    37. Posted by vondior Sun Nov 1 8:49am EST

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    Trevor for mayor
  13. Luxref Staff
    36. Posted by Luxref Staff Sun Nov 1 7:19am EST

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    Guess we just have to assume the refs are corrupt unless the prove otherwise by calling honest games.
  14. kevin d
    35. Posted by kevin d Sun Nov 1 5:11am EST

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    No, If ariza stays in LA, he'll be just overshadowed by Kobe, Gasol, Odom and even bynum... Its good that he's on a starless team. he'll be the star in Houston!!
  15. Drei-kun
    34. Posted by Drei-kun Sun Nov 1 5:11am EST

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    Greg Oden is a Draft BUST!!!
  16. mod
    33. Posted by mod Sun Nov 1 4:42am EST

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    It wasn't the Lakers fault. Ariza agent think he was going to get a better contract but got less money.
  17. kkeeys
    32. Posted by kkeeys Sun Nov 1 1:40am EST

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    as much as i hate the fact that he left the lakers, im glad trevor ariza did what he did.
    hes a good guy with a bright future, a future that he may never have realized with the lakers.
    he'll always be apart of the laker family. without him, we never wouldve won that ring.
  18. Annie
    31. Posted by Annie Sun Nov 1 1:25am EST

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    Ariza, if the Lakers don't win it all, bring it for Houston, Houston deserves it since they finally broke the 1st Round Curse last year.
  19. <i>slackius</i>
    30. Posted by slackius Sun Nov 1 1:15am EST

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    This is an awesome time to have both Ariza and Brooks on my fantasy team :)
  20. Big Tex
    29. Posted by Big Tex Sun Nov 1 1:09am EST

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    Ariza is doing exceptionally well in Houston. This was the right move for the Rockets. In other words Lakers who? That is all in the past and Ariza will be lights out this year, in addition to McGrady coming back, quite frankly this Rockets team may be the sleeper this year. And I'm a Mavs fan telling it like it is. Ariza you are the man and you so deserve a chance to shine.
  21. BasketballFan88
    28. Posted by BasketballFan88 Sun Nov 1 1:00am EST

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    The Rockets GM and front office appear to be geniuses.

    IT's early however I'm betting that Laker fans must be wondering what Mitch Kuptchak gave up fighting for a few extra million.

    Ron Artest hasn't had that much of an impact on his team.

    However cautiously its early. But I wonder what Lakers fans are thinking?
  22. Jay Kay
    27. Posted by Jay Kay Sun Nov 1 1:48am EDT

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    I'm anxious to see how Budinger develops. He went to High School (La Costa Canyon, Carlsbad, CA) with my grand son. I see big things for him if he stays healthy. By the way, his main game is volleyball, but no payday like the NBA.
  23. Raoul Enrico
    26. Posted by Raoul Enrico Sun Nov 1 1:45am EDT

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    About time Portland axes McMillan. Steve Blake starting in place of Andre Miller? Please. Why get a star PG if you're just gonna bench him. Miller's an aging veteran now but still has LOTS OF GAME in him, only thing is it takes a while for his engine to get warm which is why he has got to start.

    I have a feeling a couple of more Portland losses and McVillain, er, McMillan will start Miller. Can't he learn from his Gary Payton issues of old?!?!
  24. Maya
    25. Posted by Maya Sun Nov 1 1:45am EDT

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    Lakers made a BIG mistake
  25. BUSTER
    24. Posted by BUSTER Sun Nov 1 1:33am EDT

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    Ariza has always had great talent, all lakers fans knew how good he was...But you think any haters believed us? Of course not lol....Brownwill be the next star LA creates..........Anyways nice game for him career high...................But i would hold off on crowing him better than Artest just yet....Artests career high....s 39 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists, 8 steals and 4 blocks.....Artest will figure it out.
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Top Performers

 Top Performers
 Portland
B. Roy Brandon Roy
12-20,  42 Pts
6 Rebs, 4 Assists
 Houston
T. Ariza Trevor Ariza
11-17,  33 Pts
3 Rebs, 3 Assists

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