Takeaways: Rockets win ninth straight as Jalen Green overwhelms Blazers late

HOUSTON — Led by rising star Jalen Green, the Rockets shook off a slow start and extended their winning streak to nine games with Monday’s 110-92 victory (box score) over Portland. Houston is now 11-1 in March, which leads the NBA, and is only a half-game behind Golden State (36-34) for the No. 10 spot in the Western Conference standings. That represents the final play-in tournament slot to potentially qualify for the 2024 playoffs. With the win, the Rockets (36-35) are above .500 for the first time since Jan. 12, and Houston’s nine-game streak is the longest for the franchise in more than five years. The Rockets are now 26-11 for the 2023-24 season in home games at Toyota Center.…