The Trail Blazers are no match for the Houston Rockets’ defense during losses

The Portland Trail Blazers welcomed back their most proven offensive threat, Anfernee Simons, on Friday night at the Houston Rockets, and that didn’t mean one bit.

Houston, owners of one of the top-rated defenses in the NBA, dominated the Blazers while its offense excelled in a 116-88 victory at the Toyota Center.

“It was a tough game all the way around,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups told reporters. “They beat us in every area you can beat a team.”

The Blazers fell right into the Rockets’ hands from the start, committing five turnovers in the first quarter, leading to nine points for Houston, which entered fourth in points off turnovers per game (20.6).

Houston led 31-20 after the first quarter and continued to dominate in the second quarter, with the Rockets shooting 57.1% to build a 65-45 halftime lead.

The Blazers made a brief run in the third quarter to pull within 81-66 points, but the Rockets pushed back to build a 96-73 lead entering the fourth.

Through three quarters, the Blazers had committed 14 turnovers, which the Rockets converted into 21 points. By the end of the game, the Blazers had committed 21 turnovers, resulting in 28 points for the Rockets.

The Blazers also gave up 28 points off turnovers in Wednesday’s 109-99 loss at Oklahoma City.

“But that’s what they do,” Billups said of the Rockets. “It wasn’t just us being reckless with the ball. They force it on you. It’s almost like the Oklahoma City game in terms of how they play defensively. They’re very disruptive. They’re very physical.”

Former Oregon Ducks star Dillon Brooks led the Rockets with 28 points. Guard Jalen Green scored 17, all in the first half. Tari Eason came off the bench and scored 22.

Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija each scored 13 points to lead the Blazers.

Houston shot 45.2% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc. The Rockets entered the night ranked 28th in three-point shooting at 32.5%.

Portland managed to sink just 33% of its field goal attempts and 25.6% from three-point range (11 of 43). The Blazers shot 42.1% over their previous four games.

The Blazers will look to avoid the same result when the two teams meet again on Saturday night.

“We’ll sleep it off tonight,” Billups said. “We’ll talk about it, watch it and try it again tomorrow.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN (Box score)

The Blazers (6-10) are now 2-6 on the road and 0-2 on this trip after losing to the Rockets (12-5). Portland fell to 1-1 Emirates NBA Cup. Houston is 2-0.

The two teams meet again on Saturday.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the challenge,” Billups said. “This team, they play as good as anybody in the league. They really do. They’re crazy. They play hard, just like we play. But they play together every single night.”

SIMON’S BACK

Simons, who missed two games with an illness and then one with a sprained hand, returned looking about as rusty as you’d expect.

Simons started, played over 21 minutes and scored just eight points on 2-of-7 shooting while committing four turnovers.

Center Deandre Ayton (right index finger) and guard Scoot Henderson (left quad contusion) did not play.

NEXT UP

The Blazers play the Rockets again on Saturday at 5 p.m.