The Portland Trail Blazers have extended their lead in the Western Conference with a 111-104 win over the Houston Rockets.
LaMarcus Aldridge continued to be the main threat for the home side, adding 31 points and a career-high 25 rebounds as the Blazers made amends for their loss to the Rockets earlier in the season.
There was little between the two sides for the first three quarters, but Portland began to pull away early in the fourth, opening up a 10-point advantage.
Dwight Howard had kept the visitors in contention all evening, finishing the game with 32 points and 17 rebounds, while Chandler Parsons hit a three-pointer with just over seven minutes to play to leave Houston just five points down.
However, a couple of late shots from Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews clinched the victory for the Western leaders, leaving them with a 19-4 record this season, while the Rockets are currently ranked fifth in the conference.
Sian Cowper
