LaMarcus Aldridge scores 46 in Game 1 vs Rockets

LaMarcus Aldridge had just fouled out late in overtime after scoring a career-high and franchise playoff-record 46 points when he went to Portland teammate Damian Lillard with a simple message.

"I said: 'Take it over,'" Aldridge said.

Lillard did just that, finishing with 31 points and making the go-ahead free throws in overtime to lift the Trail Blazers to a 122-120 victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night in a thrilling first-round series opener.

Aldridge fouled out with about a minute left in overtime and Lillard, who was making his playoff debut, scored Portland's next five points and put the Trail Blazers on top by one point with a pair of free throws with 17 seconds left.

-- AP