Rockets get blasted by the Blazers, 96-79

Posted: February 6, 2016 -- 8:15 pm CDT.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets dug themselves a grand canyon-sized hole Saturday evening and, despite a decent comeback effort, the Rockets lost to the Portland Trail Blazers 96-79.

"It's frustrating, man; we've got to do better. That's the bottom line," said a disappointed Trevor Ariza after the game. "We just lacked energy early. That's what it is."

With 5:01 left in the third quarter, the Rockets trailed by 32 points (74-42).

Thirty-two points.

The Blazers did not score another point in the final 5:01; and, the Rockets managed to stumble to an 11-0 run to finish the quarter trailing 74-53.

Twenty-one points.

Blazers didn't score the final 5:01 of the 3rd qtr and still took 74-53 lead into 4th qtr. 9:10 left in 4th, 82-58.

— Kris M Gardner (@TheHRReview) February 7, 2016

The fourth quarter was not 12 minutes of Garbage Time; but, the quarter, like many moments throughout the game, had some garbage moments.

The Rockets (25-27) managed to crawl within 11 points (89-78) with 2:58 remaining in the game; however, they would get no closer in the ball game.

The Rockets limited the Blazers (25-27) to 41 points in the second half; however, the Rockets scored only 43 points in the half.

"It was our start," said interim-head coach J.B. Bickerstaff after the game. "If you look at the second half, they scored 19 points (third) and 22 points (fourth). So again, as frustrating as it is, as repetitive as it is, when we decide that we're going to defend, we're capable."

With 3:41 to go in the first quarter, the Rockets trailed 23-20. The Blazers scored six straight points for a nine point lead before James Harden sank a 3 point shot to close the first quarter scoring. The Rockets trailed 29-23 after the first 12 minutes.

The second quarter was a nightmare for the Rockets.

The Blazers made only 8 of 23 field goal attempts (34.8%) in the quarter and still outscored the Rockets 26-13 in the quarter. The Rockets shot 21.1% (4 for 19) in the quarter.

The Rockets trailed 55-36 at halftime; and their ice cold shooting continued in the third period which helped the Blazers blow the game open with a 19-6 run and lead 74-42.

The Rockets were outshot 40.2% to 32.5% after outshooting their opponents in each of the last two ball games. The Rockets haven't outshot their opponents in more than two consecutive games this season.

James Harden scored a game-high 33 points in 36 minutes of play tonight; but, Harden turned over the ball 10 times with 3 assists.

"We're just a step slow on everything," Harden said. "We've got two games before the All-Star break; so, we've got to try to rally two wins and see what happens from there."

Dwight Howard summed up the Rockets' current state-of-mind, "We definitely don't need to talk about it. We've been talking about it for a while. Just talking about it doesn't do anything."

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