ROTATION: Starters -- Point guard Steve Blake, Shooting guard Brandon Roy, Small forward Nicolas Batum, Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, Center Joel Przybilla. BENCH: Forward Travis Outlaw, Guard Rudy Fernandez, Center Greg Oden, Forward Channing Frye, Guard Sergio Rodriguez.
PLAYER NOTES: --F LaMarcus Aldridge contributed 25 points and seven rebounds and had his perimeter shot working all night. Aldridge had his hands full with Houston's Luis Scola, who was 10 for 13 from the field en route to a 21-point, six-rebound performance as the power forwards balanced each other out.
--G Rudy Fernandez was inserted in the lineup early, started the second half and played 35 minutes. Fernandez made only 2 of 7 shots, but he did a little bit of everything (four rebounds, three steals, two blocked shots), and his presence opened things up for all of his teammates.
--G Steve Blake had his best all-around game of the series with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting -- 2 of 2 from 3-point range -- seven rebounds, three assists and only one turnover in 40 minutes.
--F Nicolas Batum played the game's first 5:47 and departed when Fernandez entered. Batum sat the bench the rest of the way.
MEDICAL WATCH
--F Martell Webster (foot) is out the rest of the season.
