Sengun and Thompson help the Rockets beat the Trail Blazers 106-99

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Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) drives into Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday March 6, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) puts up a shot between Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson, left, and forward Tari Eason (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday March 6, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke) — Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) drives into Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday March 6, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

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9:40 PM on Friday, March 6

The Associated Press

HOUSTON (AP) — Alperen Sengun scored 28 points, Amen Thompson had 26 and the Houston Rockets used a dominant fourth quarter to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 106-99 on Friday night.

Sengun shot 11 of 15 from the field while playing just 26 minutes due to foul trouble, while Thompson converted all but one of his 12 shot attempts and scored eight points in the fourth quarter.

Houston trailed 85-77 after Matisse Thybuille drained a 3-pointer a minute into the final period, but Portland missed 11 of its next 13 shots and the Rockets went on a 23-4 run that covered close to eight minutes.

Houston shot 67% in the fourth quarter, outscoring Portland 29-17.

Kevin Durant added 20 points for the Rockets (39-23), who entered the day tied for fourth in the Western Conference.

Jerami Grant led Portland with 21 points. Jrue Holiday added 20 points and 10 assists, while Donovan Clingan finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Toumani Camara made four 3-pointers while scoring 14 points in a first quarter that ended with Portland leading 34-27.

Sengun scored 15 points in the second quarter on 6-of-8 shooting to help the Rockets take a 57-56 lead into halftime.

Blazers All-Star forward Deni Avdija missed his sixth straight game with a low back injury. Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. also sat out one night after returning from the sprained right ankle that sidelined him the previous two games.

Up next

Rockets: At the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.

Trail Blazers: Host the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.

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