Streaking Rockets nick Trail Blazers 81-80
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-14 15:26

Yao Ming scored 23 points and Juwan Howard had 17, including four free throws in the last 13 seconds, to help the Houston Rockets hold off Portland 81-80 on Sunday night for their seventh straight victory.

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming (11) of China blocks a shot by Portland Trail Blazers forward Ruben Patterson (21) in the first half Sunday, Feb. 13, 2005, in Houston. [AP]

Portland had a chance for the win at the buzzer, but Damon Stoudamire's half-court shot bounced off the rim.

Darius Miles pulled the Trail Blazers to 81-80 on a 26-footer with 3.1 seconds left, and Houston's David Wesley missed two free throws a second later.

The Rockets led 77-74 before Howard made two free throws with 12.5 seconds left, followed by two more with 9.3 seconds remaining.

Houston's seven-game winning streak is the NBA's best active winning streak and the team's longest since March of 1999.

The Rockets led by as many as 18 before the Trail Blazers came back to take a 72-70 lead with 2:22 remaining on Stoudamire's layup. Tracy McGrady, who finished with 18 points, answered with jump shot to tie the game.

Stoudamire scored 25 points, including five 3s, and Joel Przybilla added 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Blazers.

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