Aldridge's 43 lifts Blazers over Rockets

LaMarcus Aldridge continued his dominance against the Rockets, scoring 43 points to lift the Trail Blazers to a 112-105 victory and a 2-0 lead in the first-round playoff series.

Aldridge became the first player with consecutive games of 43 points games in the playoffs since Tracy McGrady did it in April 2003 after scoring a career-high and franchise playoff-record 46 in an overtime win in Game 1.

Damian Lillard made six free throws down the stretch to help out in the win and finished with 18 points.

Dwight Howard was unstoppable early and scored 25 points in the first half, but managed just seven in the second half.