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Roy sinks 3-pointer, lifts Blazers past Rockets

Nov 7, 2008 - 7:40 AM By Daniel Cochran PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- Brandon Roy hit a deep 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Portland Trail Blazers a 101-99 overtime victory over the Houston Rockets on Thursday.

The shot went through, but the game wasn't decided until officials reviewed the replay. After a couple minutes, the signal was given that the shot would indeed count and the Trail Blazers had won.

"I just grabbed it and shot it," Roy said, "When I fell to the ground, I saw it go through the net."

"In the huddle, I could tell he wanted the ball. He really wanted it," Blazers coach Nate McMillan said. "I think we earned this victory."

Yao Ming had completed a three-point play with less than one second left in overtime to give the Houston Rockets a 99-98 lead.

Ming took an inbounds pass from Rafer Alston and hit a jumper on the move. He was fouled and then hit the free throw that appeared to give the Rockets the victory.

"It was a disappointment at first," LaMarcus Aldridge said, "but Brandon always comes up with big plays."

Prior to Yao's three-point play, Roy had hit a jump shot with 1.9 seconds left that gave the Portland Trail Blazers a 98-96 lead.

Tracy McGrady dropped in an alley-oop to give the Rockets a 96-94 lead in overtime, but Aldridge came right back to tie the game with 30 seconds left.

With one minute remaining in regulation, McGrady had tied the game at 90-90 after hitting two free throws.

After McGrady sank his free throws, Travis Outlaw missed a jumper, but the Blazers came up with a key stop with 10 seconds remaining.

"We played hard against a young, energetic team," said McGrady, who was guarding Roy during the final shot. "He just went up there, caught the pass, like a 70-footer."

"I didn't see what happened. I'd have to look at it on film, I don't know why he got wide-open," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said.

Roy scored 17 while grabbing seven rebounds and dishing five assists. Aldridge led the Blazers with 27 points and nine boards.

McGrady had 30 points with eight assists and seven rebounds.

Nicolas Batum started for the second straight game in place of Outlaw, but scored just six points.

Outlaw added 14 points from the bench while also grabbing 13 rebounds. Outlaw, who has struggled from the field, made his first four shots, including two 3-pointers.