LaMarcus Aldridge scored 43 points as the Portland Trail Blazers clinched a 112-105 win over the Houston Rockets to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
The forward is the first Portland player in the team's history to have two 40-point games in the post-season.
The home side led by eight points at the end of the first quarter, but Aldridge soon led the Blazers back into contention.
Damian Lillard made a series of free throws in the second half as Portland took the lead, while Wesley Matthews gave them a six-point advantage with just 33 seconds remaining.
Dwight Howard had 25 points for the Rockets in the first half, but was unable to maintain his momentum after the break, finishing the game with 32.
The teams meet again in Portland on Friday.
Sian Cowper
