HOUSTON —Trevor Ariza, making the move from the Lakers to Houston this season, scored a career high 33 points, Aaron Brooks added 28 points and the Rockets held on to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 111-107 Saturday night.
“I know it was an important game for us,” Ariza said
. “They (Portland) are one of the better teams in the West with a lot of talent, too. It was bigger for us to win at home tonight.”
Houston had to overcome a 42-point performance by Brandon Roy and a determined Trail Blazers offense that kept the game close to the end.
“Ariza and Brooks did whatever they wanted,” Portland coach Nate McMillan said. “They controlled the ball and made their shots.”
The Rockets hit 12-of-24 3-point baskets and shot 50.6 percent overall for the game. Ariza was 5-for-8 from 3-point range.
Ariza’s previous career high was 26 points last March 15 for the Los Angeles Lakers against Dallas.
“Our defense was not very good, right now we’re not giving much effort on the defensive end and that’s where it starts,” Roy said. “It doesn’t seem like our effort is there. I see a team that’s stinking too much right now.”
Spurs 113, Kings 94
SAN ANTONIO — Tony Parker scored 24 points and Richard Jefferson added 21 points, leading the Spurs to a victory over the winless Kings.
Former University of Washington player Jon Brockman had 2 points and 3 rebounds in 13 minutes for the King’s. Kevin Martin added 26 points and former University of Washington player Spencer Hawes scored 22 for the Kings.
Cavaliers 90, Bobcats 79
CLEVELAND — Delonte West scored 13 points in his delayed season debut, Mo Williams added 24 and LeBron James 14 as the Cleveland Cavaliers, back at full strength, rolled to a 90-79 win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday night.
Williams scored 12 in the fourth quarter — all on 3-pointers — and James added nine assists and seven rebounds for the Cavs, now 2-2 after an 0-2 start.
West’s turbulent offseason finally brought him back to the floor. After missing all eight preseason games and Cleveland’s first three of the regular season to deal with personal issues, the troubled and valuable West went 5-of-7 from the field in 24 minutes.
Wizards 123, Nets 104
WASHINGTON — Gilbert Arenas scored 32 points, including a halfcourt buzzer-beater at the end of the first quarter, Andray Blatche scored a career-high 30 and the Wizards won their home opener.
Chris Douglas-Roberts had a career-high 25 points to lead the Nets, who were missing point guard Devin Harris — out at least a week with an injured right groin. Rafer Alston scored 20 points starting in Harris’ spot.
76ers 141, Knicks 127, OT
NEW YORK — Andre Iguodala scored 32 points, including the go-ahead three-point play in overtime, and Philadelphia blew a 23-point lead before beating the Knicks.
Lou Williams added 27 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for the 76ers.
Bucks 96, Pistons 85
MILWAUKEE — Rookie Brandon Jennings scored 21 of his 24 points in the second half, Hakim Warrick came off the bench to add 21 points and the Bucks won their home opener.
Mavericks 93, Clippers 84
LOS ANGELES — Dirk Nowitzki had 24 points and nine rebounds, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 93-84 victory over the winless Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night. Jason Terry scored 16 points off the bench. The Clippers made only one field goal over the final 7:12.
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