Houston puts on offensive clinic, win in more or less dominant fashion
Between New Orleans missing free throws and getting the Houston fans free food, and Jalen Green dropping 34 points, it’s safe to say we witnessed a Rockets win. In fact, the game was never truly close at all, with only two lead changes in the entire game, both being in the start of the first quarter. This all had to do with the fact that Houston’s offense came out firing, and was able to keep the foot on the gas all game long. As said before, Jalen Green’s game leading 34 points on 59% shooting led the way to a needed twenty point victory at home.
Also helping out the Rockets was Alperen Sengun’s stellar 23-9-7 near triple double, Dillon Brooks’ 26 points (10-16 FG, 6-10 3P), and Jabari Smith’s 15 (3-6 3P). A strong start from Fred VanVleet gave a nice boost as he had eight points and three assists in the first quarter before slowing down shooting wise afterwards. However, what may be the most impressive offensive stat of the game for Houston is scoring over 65! points in each half, their shooting clicking immediately. Shooting a very efficient 50-87 (57.5%) from the field and 17-39 (43.6%) from three, there was no chance for the Pelicans defense against a red hot Houston offense that was getting points anywhere on the court.
Defensively, this was also another good, productive game from the Rockets, only letting up 79 points through three quarters before a poor fourth. Keeping New Orleans slowed down on the offensive side and winning the rebound battle gave Houston the productivity needed with the absence of Tari Eason. No single player had a bad game defensively either for the Rockets, with everyone being able to hold their own against their matchups.
Something else Houston did great in during this game was getting out in transition and running the floor. Beating the Pelicans 28-11 in fastbreak points, the transition game was easily the Rockets’, an almost reoccurring common theme now at this point. Overall, this game was one that was expected to be a win, and was just that. Knocking New Orleans down to 5-23, the Houston Rockets move up to 18-9 on the season and only sit a half a game back from the two seeded Memphis Grizzlies. A few days break, the next game for Houston will be on the road against the 7-21 Toronto Raptors Sunday evening. We’ll be back for game coverage as usual here on DreamShake for that one, so make sure to tap in!