With Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming sidelined with back injuries, the Rockets couldn't muster up enough offense to keep up with the young Portland Trailblazers or make a defensive stop when they needed it most. The result was an 85-78 setback in front of a sell-crowd of 18,138 fans at Toyota Center... Brandon Roy, the NBA's leading Rookie of the Year candidate, collected 24 points and helped the Blazers close out the Rockets with a game-determining 12-4 run.
Rockets can't get into rhythm without star players