PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Jalen Green had 23 points, including five 3-pointers, and the Houston Rockets built a big early lead before coasting to a 125-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.
Jae’Sean Tate added 17 points as Houston snapped its 11-game losing streak on the road.
It was the first of two games at the Moda Center against the Rockets on consecutive nights. Neither team is in the playoff picture.
Trendon Watford had 19 points for the Blazers, who have won just two of their last 14 games. They were coming off a blowout 133-96 loss to San Antonio on Wednesday.
The Blazers trailed by as many as 24 points, but closed within 93-82 late in the third quarter. The lead still prompted Houston coach Stephen Silas to sit most of his starters for the final quarter. Josh Christopher’s 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter pushed Houston back up 102-82.
Portland won the first two meetings of the season between the teams.
The Rockets, who have the NBA’s worst…