Jalen Green scores a season-high 41 and Sengun takes over in OT. Rockets advance to 14-6 on the season
The Houston Rockets got to Philadelphia at 3:00 am Wednesday morning after clinching their NBA Cup group in overtime versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. The day before Thanksgiving playing against a three-win 76ers team, the Rockets could have easily mailed this one in, but as they have become accustomed to doing, they battled and got their consecutive overtime win on the road, winning 122-115.
With five players scoring in double figures, it was Jalen Green’s 18-point first quarter that paced the Rockets early. Coming off a game where he was listed as questionable with an illness, he appeared to have his legs early. He finished the game with 41 points on 60-percent shooting, hitting four three-pointers and sinking 13/14 from the free-throw line. He was a major contributor in the win, especially with Sengun struggling offensively in the first half.
The “Terror Twins” did what they always do, combining for 33 points and 20 rebounds off the bench. Amen added three steals and three blocks. Amen’s defense on Tyrese Maxey, especially down the stretch was key. He did score 39 points, but he took 34 shots to get it. The Rockets continue to show that defense, and rebounding can cover up many of their other deficiencies. Once again in the second and 4th quarters they struggled to score the basketball, but their defense on offensive rebounding kept the 76ers at arm’s length into the overtime period.
Overtime is where Alperen Sengun took over the game. Redeeming himself for failing to win the game in regulation, he scored 11 of the Rockets 15 points in overtime. However, the biggest play he made all night was the Olajuwon-like fingernail block of a Tyrese Maxey layup that was initially called a goal-tend, but after review was ruled to be a clean block. He finished the game three assists shy of his second consecutive triple-double with 22 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists. For consecutive nights now Ime Udoka has trusted his big man in crunch time and Sengun delivered.
Now the Rockets can enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday at home with their families, as they won’t play another game until Sunday Dec 1, at Toyota center versus the OKC Thunder. they will want to be well fed and well rested for that game as the Thunder are the only team this season to firmly outclass the Rockets this season. However, they can start worrying about that on Friday. They should enjoy what they accomplished over the last 48 hours. They have shown that they are growing up and learning how to win. For that, we can all be thankful.