Tracy McGrady scored 26 of his 35 points in the second half, and the Houston Rockets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 95-88 last night, the AP reports. The victory snapped a two-game losing streak for Houston. The Rockets, once atop the Western Conference with a 22-game winning streak, are currently in fifth place with the Phoenix Suns.
The Rockets have won five straight against the Blazers, including four in a row this season. No other team has beat Portland four times this season. Rookie Aaron Brooks' 3-pointer with 3:06 left made it 91-78 for Houston and all but sealed the victory, as fans started streaming out of the Rose Garden. The Blazers have now lost four straight and will miss the playoffs. (More NBA stories.)