HOUSTON, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Houston Rockets avoided a late-game collapse and thrashed the Portland Trail Blazers 126-113 at Toyota Center Monday night.
The Rockets led for all but 10 seconds of the match, finishing with their top-scoring game of the season by making 52.3 percent of their shots and 48.5 percent of their 3-pointers.
They enjoyed an easy lead by as much as 22 points in the first half, which once dwindled to six due to a surge of the Blazers in the second half. But Houston learned their lessons from the loss to the Thunder last Thursday and got back control until eventually winning the game.
Chandler Parsons led the Rockets from start to finish, scoring 31 points on 12 of 19 shooting, adding 10 rebounds and seven assists. Dwight Howard chipped in 24 points with 12 rebounds, James Harden had 22 points and five assists while Pat Beverley, who came back after nearly a month out with a broken hand, added 17 points.
LaMarcus Aldridge had 27 points and 20 rebounds for the Blazers. Damian Lillard added 24 points and Wesley Matthews had 18.
With the win, Houston has improved to 28-15 on the season whereas Portland is 31-10.