Outlaw keys Blazers' win over Houston

Opening night at the Rose Garden a success

By Kerry Eggers

The Portland Tribune, Oct 27, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Brandon Roy blocks a shot by Houston's David Anderson, as the Trail Blazers open the season with a victory at the Rose Garden.

JONATHAN HOUSE / THE PORTLAND TRIBUNE

The Trail Blazers were really rolling for only one quarter Tuesday night at the Rose Garden.

They committed 26 turnovers, three more than they did in any game a year ago.

Greg Oden managed only two points – a put-back in the final minute.

Brandon Roy made only 5 of 18 shots from the field.

And still, Portland made its 2009-10 regular-season debut a successful one with a 96-87 victory over the Houston Rockets.

“I saw some good stuff,” Portland coach Nate McMillan said. “It’s still a work in progress, but other than the turnovers and a lot of early fouls, it was pretty good.”

Portland did squander a 20-point fourth quarter lead that shrunk to six points with more than two minutes remaining before taking care of business. And then there were the 26 turnovers.

But there were plenty of good signs, too, from a Portland team that is expected to make a solid run at the Northwest Division championship.

The Blazers held Houston to .370 shooting, owned the backboards (51-33), blocked 12 shots and shot superbly from 3-point range (.476) and the free-throw line (.909).

Travis Outlaw came off the bench to score a game-high 23 points – 14 in the first half – and lead a second-quarter surge that keyed the victory.

A sellout crowd of 20,403 was rollicking as the Blazers scored the first 11 points of the quarter en route to a 31-point period and a 54-41 halftime lead.

Portland extended the lead to 75-55 late in the third quarter and was still in front 80-62 with less than 9 minutes to play when Houston – starting point guard Aaron Brooks and four reserves – made a belated bid at victory. The Rockets went on a lengthy run that trimmed the margin to 89-83 with still 2:19 on the clock.

The Blazers scored on each of their next three possessions to finally wrap up the victory.

“We played hard, played aggressive,” said Roy, who never found his shooting eye but contributed 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in 37 minutes. “We were sloppy, had way too many turnovers.

“We built a lead, but the biggest thing is, we didn’t put them away when we had a chance to. But again, first game. We’re just happy to take this win. That’s one under our belt.”

Outlaw had shot only .375 from the field in the preseason, but he was on from the start Tuesday night, scoring seven points in each of the first two quarters. The 6-9 Outlaw – who divided time between small forward and power forward – made 9 of 14 shots from the field, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range. He also had four rebounds, two assists and two steals while playing 33 minutes – more than any Blazer but Roy.

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