NBA | Portland's Brandon Roy scores 42 points in loss

HOUSTON — Trevor Ariza scored a career-high 33 points, Aaron Brooks added 28 and the Houston Rockets held on to beat the Portland Trail Blazers at home for the fifth consecutive time in the regular season, winning 111-107 Saturday night.

Houston had to overcome a 42-point performance by Brandon Roy, a former standout for the Washington Huskies and Garfield High School in Seattle. Roy made 12 of 20 shots from the field, including 5 of 7 three-point attempts, and connected on all 13 of his free throws.

Roy sounded more concerned about team defense than about his numbers.

"Our defense was not very good," Roy said. "Right now we're not giving much effort on the defensive end and that's where it starts. It doesn't seem like our effort is there."

When a reporter said the lack of effort was hard to see, Roy responded: "I see it."

Ariza's previous career high was 26 points, last accomplished March 15 for the Los Angeles Lakers against Dallas.

Brooks, a graduate of Franklin High School in Seattle who played college ball at Oregon, got close to his career high of 30 points, set in March against Phoenix.

"Ariza and Brooks did whatever they wanted," said Portland coach Nate McMillan, a former Sonics coach and player. "They controlled the ball and made their shots."

The Rockets knocked the Blazers out of the Western Conference playoffs last season with a 4-2 series victory in the first round.

Notes

• Delonte West scored 13 points in his delayed season debut and teammate Mo Williams scored 24 as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Charlotte Bobcats 90-79.

After missing all eight exhibition games and Cleveland's first three of the regular season to deal with personal issues, ex-Sonics guard West was cleared by team doctors, ending more than a month of drama.

West, 26, who has been treated in the past for bipolar disorder, was arrested in September for allegedly carrying three concealed weapons when he was pulled over by Maryland police near his home. Last weekend, West's wife filed a domestic-violence report against him.

• Philadelphia blew a 23-point lead before beating New York 141-127 in overtime, spoiling the Knicks' home opener.

New York's Al Harrington scored a career-high 42 points before fouling out with the Knicks leading by three points in overtime. The 76ers scored the last 17 points of OT.

• San Antonio beat the visiting Sacramento Kings 113-94. Spencer Hawes, a former UW Huskies and Seattle Prep player, had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Kings.