Not so super Sunday from the Rockets, but a win is a win
Coming into a game that would under normal circumstances be a “scheduled loss”, the Houston Rockets having already lost six straight contests could not afford to approach today’s contest versus the Toronto Raptors with that mindset. The losing streak already saw the Rockets fall from the number two seed in the Western Conference to the five seed. So, despite it being the second of consecutive matinee games the Rockets would need to push themselves to a win.
Early on it didn’t look promising. Aside from losing Alperen Sengun less than four minutes into the game, the Rockets shot 7-of-18 in the first quarter scoring just 18 points. Fortunately, the Raptors shot the ball poorly as well scoring just 22 points in the first. Neither team could buy a bucket from three and it didn’t get much better in the second quarter.
The Rockets shot 5-of 23 in the second quarter, including 1-of-11 from the three-point line. Dillon Brooks was the high-point man at the half with 11 points, while Immanuel Quickley paced the Toronto Raptors with 18 points. The Rockets took a 42-37 deficit into halftime.
In the third quarter it was the Rockets “stay ready crew” that kept the Raptors from running away with the game. Neither team could get much going offensively but the Rockets were able to tie the quarter with the Raptors scoring 21 points and taking a 63-58 deficit into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter the Rockets seemed to be determined not to see their losing streak hit seven games. Cam Whitmore scored eight of his 11 points in the fourth quarter hitting two three-pointers, and Jalen Green scored nine of his 18 in the quarter. The Rockets were able to muster up the energy to get crucial stops and get moving in transition. The team overall hit 7-of-12 from the three-point line and outscored the Raptors by 12 in the quarter securing the 94-87 win.
The “stay ready crew” of Cam Whitmore, Jock Landale, and Jeff Green, who played 19 minutes in his 1,200th game of his career, powered the Rockets bench who outscored the Raptors bench 43-31. Jeff Green led all bench players with 14 points and 5 rebounds.
The win comes with just two games remaining before the All-Star break. The Rockets will play another back-to-back at home starting Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns and then will face the Golden State Warriors for the first time since the Dubs acquired Tomball’s own Jimmy Butler. Before that the Rockets will get a much needed two days of rest.
Watch Wednesday’s game on Space City Home Network or listen on Sports Talk 790 AM. You can also watch the game and chat with your fellow Dream Shake faithful right here on the TDS game thread featuring Playback.