--G Brandon Roy scored 23 of his 42 points in the second half Tuesday, finishing 15 for 27 from the field, 2 for 3 from 3-point range and 10 for 12 from the foul line. He also had seven rebounds and no turnovers in 42 minutes as he matched Clyde Drexler for the second-highest scoring total in Blazer annals. Bonzi Wells holds the club record with 45 against Dallas in '03.
"Brandon played a really good game," Portland coach Nate McMillan said. "Nothing was forced. (Ron) Artest is an unbelievable defender, and (Roy) did a good job of taking the looks when they were there. He knocked down some big shots and had no turnovers, and he had the ball in his hands a lot. Brandon stayed really calm against the defense of Artest and (Shane) Battier." --F LaMarcus Aldridge contributed 27 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots in 44 minutes. It was a far cry from the opener, when Aldridge was 3 for 12 from the field and collected only seven points and three rebounds.
Aldridge, who had worked hard to get into the paint in Game 1, scored a few times inside Tuesday night, but most of his baskets came on jumpers from the perimeter.
"Last game, (the Rockets) had some schemes that had me thinking too much," said Aldridge, who made 11 of 19 from the field Tuesday. "Tonight, I just took whatever they gave me, whereas last game, I was trying to force things. Tonight, I was going to take my jump shot more."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Honestly, in the first game, the Blazers were just learning how to play physical in the playoffs. In tonight's game, they played with more confidence, played much harder than in the first one. This is what playing in the playoffs look like. I guess they are quick learners." -- Yao Ming, paying tribute to the intensity the Blazers showed in Tuesday's 107-103 win.
