NBA Playoffs - Rockets avoid elimination with Game 5 win
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 01 May 2014
CHICAGO -- Facing elimination in round one of the playoffs, the Houston Rockets returned to the safe refuge of home court and lived another day by beating the Portland Trail Blazers Wednesday night.
All-Star big man Dwight Howard scored 22 points and 14 rebounds, James Harden added 17, and Jeremy Lin sprang powered the bench with 21 as the Rockets grabbed Game 5, 108-98, at the Toyota Center.
Chandler Parsons finished with 20 and Omer Asik had a huge 10-point, 15-rebound effort for Houston, which out-rebounded the Blazers 48-34. The Rockets built a 17-point lead in the opening half and staved off a torrid Blazers rally by outscoring Portland in the fourth quarter for the first time in the series.
Wesley Matthews guided the Blazers with 27 while point guard Damian Lillard had an all-around 26 points, 8 assists and 7 boards. Robin Lopez chipped in 17 and 8 rebounds but LaMarcus Aldridge was held to 8 points on 3-for-12 shooting.
Despite their Game 5 triumph, the Rockets still trail the best-of-7 affair 3-2 and the Blazers will go for the clincher in Game 6 Friday night (Saturday AM in Manila) at the Moda Center in Portland. (Homer D. Sayson)
Photo: Jeremy Lin of the Linsanity fame powered the Rockets bench with 21 points as Houston beat Portland in Game 5 Wednesday night at the Toyota Center.
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