Blazers' Roy Wonder leads the way

All-star guard pours in 42 as Portland evens series with Houston

By Kerry Eggers

The Portland Tribune, Apr 22, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (3 Reader comments)

The Blazers' Brandon Roy fights for the ball during the playoff game against the Houston Rockets.

L.E. BASKOW / TRIBUNE PHOTO

Thumbnail sketch of the Trail Blazers’ 107-103 victory over the Houston Rockets Tuesday night at the Rose Garden:

Too much Brandon Roy, too little Yao Ming.

Roy scored 42 points to lead Portland to victory to even the first-round best-of-seven playoff series at 1-1 going into Friday’s third game at the Toyota Center in Houston.

Yao, who had burned the Blazers for 24 first-half points in a 108-81 rout in the opener, took only six shots Tuesday against myriad double-teams and varying defensive schemes. Limited to 31 minutes due to foul problems, the 7-6 center managed only 11 points and eight rebounds.

Portland seized command of a tight game down the stretch, then held off a late Houston surge to post the franchise’s first playoff victory since May 2, 2003. None of the current Blazers were on that team.

“It’s our first playoff win, so we’re pretty excited about it,” said Roy after delivering one of the greatest performances in franchise playoff history. “It’s hard to win in the playoffs. It takes a lot of work. I’m glad we’re able to get this experience now.”

Blazers-Rockets Game 2 - Images by Pamplin Media Group

Roy scored 23 of his points in the second half, finishing 15 for 27 from the field, 2 for 3 from 3-point range and 10 for 12 from the foul line. He also had seven rebounds and no turnovers in 42 minutes as he matched Clyde Drexler for the second-highest scoring total in Blazer annals. Bonzi Wells holds the club record with 45 against Dallas in ‘03.

“Brandon played a really good game,” Portland coach Nate McMillan said. “Nothing was forced. (Ron) Artest is an unbelievable defender, and (Roy) did a good job of taking the looks when they were there. He knocked down some big shots and had no turnovers, and he had the ball in his hands a lot. Brandon stayed really calm against the defense of Artest and (Shane) Battier.”

Roy had plenty of help from LaMarcus Aldridge, who contributed 27 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots in 44 minutes. It was a far cry from the opener, when Aldridge was 3 for 12 from the field and collected only seven points and three rebounds.

Aldridge, who had worked hard to get into the paint in Game 1, scored a few times inside Tuesday night, but most of his baskets came on jumpers from the perimeter.

“Last game, (the Rockets) had some schemes that had me thinking too much,” said Aldridge, who made 11 of 19 from the field Tuesday. “Tonight, I just took whatever they gave me, whereas last game, I was trying to force things. Tonight, I was going to take my jump shot more.”

“Brandon had a tough shooting night last game (10 for 23); so did LaMarcus,” McMillan said. “If those two guys are not scoring, it’s going to be tough for us to win a game. But Brandon and LaMarcus had good rhythm tonight. We needed those guys to score to get that confidence going.”

Yao — 9 for 9 in Game 1 as Portland mostly single-covered him from behind — saw much greater defensive pressure Tuesday night. Often, he had two men guarding him and a third providing help.

“I was watching the ball, so I don’t know how many (defenders) were on me,” Yao said. “I know there was at least one and a half. But if I can draw a lot of their defense, our guys can take advantage.”

Houston did for a while. Artest was unconscious early, hitting 6 of 9 shots while scoring 15 points to keep the Rockets within 28-26 after one quarter.

Portland led 53-51 at the half, with Roy (19 points on 8-of-13 shooting) and Aldridge (16 on 8-of-10) providing most of the offense. Yao had only five points and five boards at the break.

A critical juncture came when Yao drew his fourth foul and departed with Houston ahead 63-58 and 6:50 left in the third quarter. Over the next five minutes, Portland outscored the Rockets 14-2 to go ahead 72-65. The visitors closed with a 7-0 spurt to make it 72-72 going into the final period.

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