Eds: APNewsNow. Rockets 86, Trail Blazers 83.

By CHRIS DUNCAN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) 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.

Shane Battier added 16 points and the Rockets got away with a quiet night from Yao Ming to beat the Blazers for the 11th time in the last 12 meetings in Houston. Game 4 is Sunday at the Toyota Center.

Roy, who scored 42 points in Portland's 107-103 win in Game 2, had 19 points, but went 6-for-18 from the field. Steve Blake scored 16 and had 10 assists, and Rudy Fernandez sank five 3-pointers and finished with 17 points for the Blazers, who trailed by 17 in the second half before rallying in the final quarter.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 04-24-09 2323CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list