PORTLAND — Change came to the Rose Garden on Tuesday Night.
It just took two quarters and a friendly halftime reminder for it to arrive.
LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy tied for a game-high 25 points, leading the Portland Trail Blazers to a 95-88 victory over the Sacramento Kings before a sold-out crowd of 20,588.
Roy was his normal all-star self, dishing out a season-high 10 assists and grabbing five rebounds, and playing smooth ball throughout the contest.
But it was Aldridge who stole the show.
He gave an inspired effort in the second half, scoring 19 points in the final two quarters and helping Portland rally from a 54-43 halftime deficit. And he did it all after twisting an already-bruised ankle twice, and then turning to pain medication to relieve the soreness.
Aldridge had just one rebound at the half, and Blazers (15-11) coach Nate McMillan said he challenged the forward to step up his game.