--G Brandon Roy had been congested and less than 100 percent during Sunday's 89-88 loss at Houston, missed Monday's practice with flu-like symptoms and said he felt "lousy" at Tuesday's shootaround.
A pre-game IV helped, Roy said, and after three sub-par quarters he delivered a sterling 14-point fourth period that helped keep the Blazers' season alive. Roy finished with 25 points but made only 9 of 20 shots and was below his average in rebounds (four) and assists (three). He came through in the fourth quarter, though, sinking 4 of 6 from the field and 5 of 6 from the line. "I struggled throughout the game to catch my second wind," Roy said, "but late I finally had some bounce to my step and was able to make some baskets to help my team win."
--C Joel Przybilla battled Houston's Yao Ming, helping hold the 7-foot-6 giant scoreless until the closing minutes of the first half. Yao didn't touch the ball in the first quarter and scored his first points on a hook shot with 2:38 left in the second period. He finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds in 40 minutes.
"It was a team effort all night on Yao," Przybilla said. "We came out with the effort and the energy and just outworked them. At the end, you could tell (the Rockets) were wearing down. That's how we've got to win these games against a team like that."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "You just never know. I've been involved in some games where I didn't feel well but played well. Sometimes guys under the weather have one of their best games, and Brandon had one of those tonight. He came out and played like a champion." -- Coach Nate McMillan on Brandon Roy scoring 25 points despite flu-like symptoms.
