The Portland Trail Blazers saw their NBA Cup chances take a serious hit Friday night in Houston, as they were blown out by the Rockets 140-116 to fall to 6-6 on the season and 1-1 in their NBA Cup group.

Playing in Space City, liftoff was successful for the Blazers. They jumped out to a quick 9-point lead in the opening minutes. But Portland came crashing down during a disastrous start to the second half. The Blazers committed six turnovers in the first four minutes of the third quarter, allowing the Rockets to build a 20-point lead that was never seriously threatened.

Player of Note

No Blazer will feel like they were at their best Friday night, but there were a few bright spots. Toumani Camara buried three first-half 3-pointers on his way to 16 points.

Shaedon Sharpe continued to be a

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