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Trail Blazers await return of Roy

Feb 11, 2008 - 4:11 PM Portland (28-22) at Houston (30-20) 8:30 pm EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Portland Trail Blazers are anxiously awaiting the return of All-Star guard Brandon Roy.

The Trail Blazers' leading scorer, Roy is expected to return from a two-game absence Monday when Portland visits the Houston Rockets.

Portland lost both games, including a 101-93 loss to Indiana on Saturday, while Roy took a leave of absence to tend to a death in his family.

The Trail Blazers are 9-18 all-time without the services of Roy, who was acquired through a draft-day trade with Minnesota in 2006.

The Rockets have won a season-high six straight games. Houston is attempting to win seven in a row for the first time since finishing the 2004-05 campaign with seven consecutive wins before taking the season opener the following year.

The Rockets are 10-1 since the return of Tracy McGrady following an 11-game absence due to left knee soreness. The surge has enabled Houston to stay in contention for a Western Conference playoff spot.

Portland has shot 38.4 percent from the field in losing both games to the Rockets this season. Roy is averaging 23.0 points against Houston, while McGrady is averaging 17.5 points against the Trail Blazers.

Houston has defeated Portland at home in seven of the last eight meetings.