You’ve got to give the Portland Trail Blazers credit. They really took it to the Houston Rockets today.

The game seemed to start at a decent clip for the visiting Rockets, who finished the first quarter 36-30. Unfortunately for them, the Blazers roared to life in the second quarter, outscoring the visitors by 17.

Led by the ever-reliable Damian Lillard (36 PTS, 10 REB, 11 AST), the Blazers held steady in the second half, even increasing their lead by the end of the third quarter. Lillard was unstoppable and made a couple of his patented threes from near the logo to cap off his great night.

CJ McCollum (22 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK) also had himself a fine game, and the recently traded Trevor Ariza (21 PTS) also chipped in. Hassan Whiteside (15 PTS, 10 REB, 5 BLK) was a terror on the defensive end for them.

In what seems to have become a recurring theme, the Rockets wasted yet another efficient night from their other star, Russell Westbrook (39 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST). Westbrook has been showing a lot more restraint in his shot selection, especially from the three-point line, but has not had a lot of nights where he’s found a reliable second option.

James Harden (18 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST) can’t seem to get out of his funk. He really can’t find the touch from beyond the arc and shot terribly from everywhere except the free throw line.

OTHER GAMES

DeMar DeRozan (38 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST) continued his resurgence by leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 127-120 win over the Utah Jazz.

Ja Morant (18 PTS, 10 AST) had a ridiculous +46 plus/minus rating while helping the Memphis Grizzlies beat the New York Knicks 127-106.

The Brooklyn Nets had a 125-115 victory against the Detroit Pistons. Spencer Dinwiddie (28 PTS, 3 REB, 6 AST) led the way.

Malcolm Brogdon (15 PTS, 8 REB, 9 AST) flirted with a triple-double in his Indiana Pacers’ 116-105 win against the Chicago Bulls.

To no one’s surprise, the Sacramento Kings were blown out 120-100 by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Dennis Schroder (24 PTS, 4 REB, 9 AST) continues to impress for the young Thunder.