Artest scores 27 and Rockets end long playoff drought with 92-76 Game 6 win over Trail Blazers

HOUSTON — For the first time in 12 years, the Houston Rockets advanced in the NBA playoffs.

Yao scores 21, Scola adds 17 as Rockets take 3-1 series lead over Trail Blazers

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets are one win away from finally escaping the first round.

Yao glad to defer to teammates as long as Rockets keep winning

HOUSTON — Yao Ming has taken only 13 shots in the last two games of Houston’s first-round series against Portland. That’s OK with him.

Scola scores 19, Rockets hold on to beat Portland 86-83 for 2-1 series lead

HOUSTON — Luis Scola scored 19 points, Houston’s defense bottled up Brandon Roy, and the Rockets beat the Portland Trail Blazers 86-83 on Friday night to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Rockets looking to regroup for Game 3 at home after Roy helps Trail Blazers even series

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets think they have two of the NBA’s top 1-on-1 defenders in Shane Battier and Ron Artest. They know they’ll have to do a better job after neither could handle Brandon Roy in Game 2.