The Portland Trail Blazers welcomed their most proven offensive threat, Anfernee Simons, to the Houston Rockets on Friday night and it wasn’t a big deal.

Houston, owner of one of the top-rated defenses in the NBA, dominated the Blazers as its offense exceeded the norm during a 116-88 win at the Toyota Center.

“It was a rough game all around,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups told reporters. “They beat us in every area you can beat a team.”

The Blazers fell right into the hands of the Rockets from the start, recording five turnovers in the first quarter, leading to nine points for Houston, which entered the night ranked fourth in points fewer turnovers per game (20.6).

Houston led 31-20 after the first quarter and continued to dominate in the second quarter, where the Rockets shot 57.1% and built a 65-45 halftime lead.

The Blazers made a short run in the third quarter to get within 81-66 points, but the Rockets bounced back and built a 96-73 lead entering the fourth.

Through three quarters, the Blazers had committed 14 turnovers that the Rockets converted into 21 points. By the end of the game, the Blazers had committed 21 turnovers, resulting in 28 points for the Rockets.

The Blazers also gave up 28 points in Wednesday’s 109-99 loss to Oklahoma City.

“But that’s what they do,” Billups said of the Rockets. “That wasn’t just our reckless handling of the ball. They force you to do that. It’s almost similar to the Oklahoma City game in terms of the way they play defense. They are very disruptive. They are very physical.”

Former Oregon Ducks star Dillon Brooks led the Rockets with 28 points. Guard Jalen Green scored 17, all in the first half. Tari Eason came off the bench to score 22.

Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija each scored 13 points to lead the Blazers.

Houston shot 45.2% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc. The Rockets entered the night ranked 28th in three-point shooting at 32.5%.

Portland managed to sink just 33% of its field goal attempts and 25.6% from three-point range (11 of 43). The Blazers shot 42.1% from their previous four games.

The Blazers will look to avoid the same outcome when the two teams meet again on Saturday night.

“We’ll sleep it off tonight,” Billups said. “We’ll talk about it, look at it and try again tomorrow.”

WHAT IT MEANS (Box score)

The Blazers (6-10) are now 2-6 on the road and 0-2 on this trip after losing to the Rockets (12-5). Portland fell to 1-1 in the match Emirates NBA Cup. Houston is 2-0.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the challenge,” Billups said. “This team is playing as well as anyone in the league. They really are. They are sloppy. They play hard, similar to how we play. But they play together every night.”

SIMONS RETURNS

Simons, who missed two games with an illness and then one with a sprained hand, returned looking about as rusty as you’d expect.

Simons started, played more than 21 minutes and scored just eight points on 2-for-7 shooting while committing four turnovers.

Center Deandre Ayton (right index finger) and guard Scoot Henderson (left quad contusion) did not play.

NEXT

The Blazers will play the Rockets again on Saturday at 5 p.m.