Rockets Beat Portland, Ending Trail Blazers' 13-Game Win Streak

HOUSTON, TX — The Houston Rockets have gone on impressive runs during the 2017-18 season, including win streaks of 14 and 17 games. Tuesday night's 115-111 win over the Portland Trail Blazers merits just as much recognition.

And it shows why the Rockets could bring the NBA title back to Houston after a 23-year drought.

Sure, the Rockets have the best record in the NBA at 57-14. But Portland (44-27) is third in the Western Conference and had just won 13 straight games. The Trail Blazers won some key games in that stretch, including a tough one over Golden State, who sits four games behind Houston.

The Rockets trailed by a point going into the fourth quarter Tuesday night. Houston took the lead and held off a late Portland rally — in Portland. James Harden led the way with a game-high 42 points and also led the Rockets with seven assists. Chris Paul had a team-high eight rebounds.

Houston has won its last six games since snapping its 17-game winning streak at Eastern Conference leader Toronto, and the Rockets have won 23 of their last 24 games.

The Rockets return to the friendly confines of the Toyota Center on Thursday to face the Detroit Pistons, who have a losing record at 32-39. It will be the first of five-straight home games and eight home games of the final 11 regular-season dates. Note: The Rockets need any combination of eight wins and/or Golden State losses to clinch the best record in the NBA and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

Image: Chris Paul (3) of the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Center on March 11, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)