NBA – Blazers’ Roy rocks Rockets with buzzer-beater at Rose Garden

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PORTLAND (NBA) – There were only two games in the NBA on Thursday night but Portland’s home showdown with Houston provided more than enough thrills as Brandon Roy guided the Trail Blazers to a 101-99 overtime victory.

The Rose Garden crowd erupted when Roy buried a 21-foot jump shot for a 98-96 Blazer lead with just 1.9 seconds remaining in the extra period.

After a Houston timeout, the Rockets inbounded the ball to Yao Ming who hit a jump shot to tie the game.

The China national team center was fouled on the play by Roy and made the free throw with 0.8 seconds left.

The Blazers weren't finished.

Coach Nate McMillan drew up their last play in a timeout and when play resumed, Roy caught the inbounds pass, turned and swished a 30-footer for a game-winning three-pointer to clinch the win.

“As I fell to the ground after the shot, I saw the ball go through the net,” Roy said. “I was like, ‘Wow, thank you.’ It was a blessing from above.”

“The guys responded,” said McMillan, an assistant to Team USA boss Mike Krzyzewski at this summer’s Olympics.

“We earned this win tonight. You make your breaks. We were aggressive throughout the game.”

Rudy Fernandez played almost 29 minutes and had 15 points for Portland (2-3), including two off an alley-oop pass that was delivered by fellow Spain international Sergio Rodriguez.

Argentina’ s Luis Scola had 14 and four rebounds and scored 13 with six boards for Houston (3-2).

Tracy McGrady led the Rockets with 30 points.

Orlando defeated Philadelphia 98-88 in Thursday's other game.

Turkey international Hedo Turkoglu finished with 20 points and eight rebounds for the Magic, who also got 14 and eight from Team USA center Dwight Howard.

Samuel Dalembert, the Sixers center who was kicked off Canada’s national team roster this summer at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens, had 14 rebounds to go with his 10 points.

FIBA