The Rockets injury slider was turned up on high and a valiant effort flames out in another loss
The Houston Rockets went into tonight’s game starting their M*A*S*H* unit. Missing Alperen Sengun, Dillon Brooks, Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, and Steven Adams, there were major minutes to be had by players who had not seen much of the floor, in a monumental task of trying to beat the best team in the West who came in looking to tie the Cleveland Cavaliers for the best record in the NBA.
The Rockets came out with good energy and a good game plan, playing mostly zone defense to avoid mismatches and shooting the ball very well in the frame. The Rockets shot 46.4 percent in the first quarter and at one point lead the Thunder by eight after a 13-2 run. The Thunder, as they would do much of the night, made a run of their own to close the quarter and cut their deficit to one at the end of the first quarter 31-30.
The Rockets would keep the fight in the second quarter scoring 30 points in the quarter on 65 percent shooting. Jalen Green was the high-point man for the Rockets at the half with 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting. Reed Sheppard, who got his first career start, also had a great half scoring 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting. The Rockets shot 54.2 percent from the field in the first half but still went into the locker room with a one-point deficit thanks to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 28 of the Thunders 63 first half points.
In the third quarter it looked like the thunder might run away with things, as they scored 39 in the quarter and at one point lead by 17. SGA was phenomenal scoring 14 of his eventual game high 51 points in the third quarter. The Rockets kept hanging around in large part thanks to the scoring from Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore, and Aaron Holiday. Nate Williams, fresh off inking his first fully guaranteed NBA contract, saw significant minutes in this game, as well as N’Faly Dante who chipped in with 10 points and nine rebounds.
Surprisingly, scoring was not the issue for the Rockets as they eclipsed 30 points in three of the four quarters and scored 29 in the third quarter. However, every run they made was answered with a run by the Oklahoma City Thunder, and eventually the valiant effort would come up short, with the Rockets ultimately falling 137-128. Cam Whitmore led the way with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists. Reed Sheppard finished the night with 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including 3-of-7 from the arc. Both Cam and Reed recorded career highs in points.
The Rockets are right back in action tomorrow night in Indianapolis to take on the Indiana Pacers in the second match of this three-game road trip. It’s likely they will be shorthanded again in that game as the injury bug as bit several players on the team. Fred VanVleet injured his ankle in his first game back against Sacramento and is expected to miss more time.
There are no moral victories in the NBA, but Rockets fans can be encouraged by the fight in this team all the way to the 12th man on the roster. The Rockets will look to build on the positives from tonight and get a victory in Indiana. Watch the game on Space City Home Network, or listen on Sports Talk 790 AM. You can watch the game along with your fellow TDS family here right here in the Rockets Game Thread.