Houston’s bench nearly propels them to comeback win over Warriors, but fall just short in the end.
In a game that resulted in a seven point loss, neither Jalen Green or All-Star Alperen Sengun touched the floor in the fourth quarter. As crazy as it may sound, it was the correct decision by Ime Udoka and it showed.
To say Houston started off slow in this one would be an understatement. This was quite frankly one of the Rockets’ worst opening quarters of the season. Outside of Aaron Holiday’s six points, the starting lineup for Houston couldn’t get anything to go offensively in the first. After a solid beginning to the first, a 16-5 run in the final five minutes of the quarter would completely flip the momentum in favor of Golden State. The name of the game tonight was turnovers, and the issues started early on for Houston as they had seven in just quarter one. Golden State took advantage of the turnovers forced though, scoring seven points off TOs and getting to the free throw line with ease, finishing the quarter leading 28-19. On top of that, poor shooting from the floor (8-23) and lack of effort caused what turned out to be a lasting lead for the Warriors.
Unfortunately, even despite a solid second quarter scoring, the disparity in free throws made and turnovers didn’t allow the lead to be cut down any. Sengun started to heat up, getting 5-4 in the second, but he was the only starter who provided any meaningful minutes. As for the bench, both Cam Whitmore and Jeff Green dropped six points apiece in the quarter with Green especially helping stop Golden State’s run and cut the lead down. On the other end though, it was Brandin Podziemski and Steph Curry who torched Houston. Combining for a total of 20 points in just the second quarter alone, seven of those off Curry free throws, the Rockets had no answer for the duo. Between that and the continuous careless play for Houston who added six more TOs to their first half total, the Warriors were able to cruise in the first half. Entering the break down 62-48, the difference was 13 TOs to just six for Golden State, and 16-18 from the line for the Warriors compared to the bleak 4-9 from Houston.
Coming out of Halftime, the story was no different for the Rockets to begin the third quarter, giving up a 19-9 run. Soon after, Ime Udoka would bring in his “stay ready” lineup which consisted of Aaron Holiday, Nate Williams, Jaesean Tate, Jeff Green, and Jock Landale to close the quarter. This move would probably be the best of the entire game as Holiday, Williams, and Landale would each make plays in the final minutes of the third to cut the lead down to just 12 going into the fourth. A 13-1 run with the new lineup most definitely prompted Coach Udoka to keep his same guys out there for quarter four. Only down 82-70, this game began to look more and more reachable for Houston.
The fourth quarter was when the game truly started to feel possible for a Rockets win. With Jalen Green, Cam Whitmore, and Alperen Sengun each staying on the bench, it was Houston’s second unit plus Amen Thompson and Aaron Holiday who closed this one out. Holiday (25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists), would get some buckets in the clutch to get the lead down to just four with plenty of time remaining in the game. Again though, the lead was just lasting for the Warriors, scoring right back each time the lead was cut down. Landale (13-8) and Williams (11-2-3) each continued their great play in the fourth as well, scoring in much needed situations to keep the game in reach. They each were above a +15 as well in the plus-minus column, a stat that only proves how valuable they were in this game. However, the offense went cold late on and Golden State’s response was getting to the line and making free throws, going 6/6 in the fourth.
A dagger three from Draymond being what sealed the deal is also a tad annoying, especially after the way Houston was playing, but it is what it is. At the end of the day free throws and turnovers lost the Rockets this one, with Houston being outscored 24-10 at the line and committing ten more TOs than Golden State. However, if there is any positives in the 105-98 loss, it’s that Houston’s second group fought back into this game and Ime Udoka’s judgement was correct. This was also the last game before a week plus long break for the All-Star festivities, so the next time we see the Houston Rockets they’ll be healthy for the first time since January first. Sitting at 34-21 at the break is certainly improvement from last season though, and is good enough for the four seed in the West for now.
Houston’s next game will be Friday, February 21st at home against the 31-25 Minnesota Timberwolves.