Jalen Green scored 27 points (14 in the paint), and the Houston Rockets beat the Portland Trail Blazers 123-107.
Green’s step-back 3-pointer put the Rockets ahead for good with 2:26 left in the third quarter.
Amen Thompson had 16 points (14 in the paint), 8 rebounds and a career-high 5 blocks on 7 for 10 shooting off the bench. Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet set each other up for 6 baskets and 13 points.
For the Trail Blazers, Dalano Banton had a career-high 30 points and 8 rebounds, and Anfernee Simons added 23 points and 3 steals.
The Trail Blazers forced 7 turnovers, about 8 fewer than usual for this many possessions. The Rockets outscored the Trail Blazers 37-18 on the fast break. The Rockets’ starters were outscored 55-43 in 18 minutes together.