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Rockets nip Blazers in OT

Jan 15, 2012 - 5:31 AM Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Houston's starting backcourt of Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin combined for 61 points as the Rockets took down the Portland Trail Blazers, 107-105, in overtime.

Lowry filled the stat sheet with 33 points, nine assists and eight rebounds while Martin added 28 points -- including four consecutive free throws in overtime to seal the win -- as the Rockets improved to 4-1 at home.

Afterward, Lowry responded to questions about whether the team suffers when he's on the bench. He played almost 49 minutes, more than any other player except Martin.

"I don't think there's any concern, I just think we just have to have the other players pick it up when I'm out of the game," said Lowry. "But I have complete confidence in my teammates."

Nicolas Batum netted 29 points on 6-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc with eight rebounds and four blocks for Portland, which lost its third straight game.

Marcus Camby -- who's averaging 8.7 rebounds per game -- missed the game due to a sprained left ankle. Without him in the lineup, the Rockets outrebounded the Blazers, 54-46.

"We missed nine free throws," said Blazers coach Nate McMillan. "When you have those opportunities, you have to convert those. You have to put points on the board."

Lowry nailed a three-pointer from the right wing to give the Rockets a 97-95 advantage with 30.8 remaining in the fourth, but LaMarcus Aldridge tied the game on the other end as he banged home a jumper from the right elbow with 22.9 left.

Lowry missed a stepback jumper from the left wing at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.

In the overtime session, Martin banked in an off-balanced runner in the lane to make it 103-100 with 31.9 seconds left.

Gerald Wallace was fouled on the other end, but hit just 1-of-2 from the line to make it 103-101.

Martin was fouled on a long jump shot on Houston's ensuing possession and hit both free throws to push the lead to four with nine seconds left.

Batum made quick layup to bring Portland within two, but Martin hit another pair from the line to seal the win.

Lowry netted 11 points with two assists as Houston led, 27-21, after the first stanza. The Rockets outrebounded the Blazers 16-4 in the period.

The Rockets led, 58-53, heading into the break. Batum had 20 points and nailed 5-of-6 from three-point range while Lowry had 17 points and five assists to pace Houston.

Lowry poured in 11 more points in the third stanza as Houston took an 84-76 advantage into the fourth.

The Blazers used a 9-4 spurt to tie the game, 90-90, midway through the fourth.

Game Notes

The Blazers are just 2-13 in Houston since the 2003-04 season...Camby went down with a sprained left ankle with 4:22 to play in the second quarter of Portland's last game against the Spurs on Friday...Portland is 1-4 on the road this season.