Takeaways: Jalen Green stays hot, but Rockets lacking help in loss to Clippers
HOUSTON — In a game that might be remembered most for KJ Martin’s emphatic poster dunk over Ivica Zubac, the host Rockets lost yet again in Monday’s 122-106 defeat (box score) to the Los Angeles Clippers. Houston is now an NBA-worst 2-12 this season.
Jalen Green continued his recent surge with a game-high 25 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds, and he did so efficiently on 10-of-19 shooting (52.6%) and 3-of-8 from 3-point range (37.5%).
However, in what’s becoming a consistent theme of late, Green didn’t have nearly enough help from his supporting cast. Kevin Porter Jr. had 20 points and 7 rebounds but shot just 6-of-18 (33.3%) and 0-of-4 on 3-pointers, while forwards Eric Gordon and Jabari Smith Jr. combined for just 11 points on 3-of-10 shooting (30.0%). Collectively, Houston’s four other starters shot 2-of-11 on 3-pointers (18.2%).
Paul George had a team-high 22 points and 8 rebounds to lead the Clippers (8-6), who are now 3-0 against Houston this season.
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews. Houston now travels to Dallas for a lone road game on Wednesday before launching a four-game homestand at Toyota Center this weekend. Tipoff between the Rockets and Mavericks is at 7:30 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
Eric Gordon: “We didn’t play our game. We didn’t have any energy, didn't play with togetherness and we got the result that happened.”
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) November 15, 2022
Rockets are at the bottom of the league in fast break points which was a point of emphasis coming into the season. I asked Coach Silas was the lack of defensive stops the biggest reason pic.twitter.com/zEhLPsfqOE
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 15, 2022
Eric Gordon: "If you have a winning mentality, moving the ball should be something you should do. Believing in your teammates and believing in what you should do, that's the way it goes when you try to win, and we didn't do that."
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) November 15, 2022
Coach Silas on why Jabari Smith struggled tonight and what he needs to do to get more involved in the game
Question by @CotyDavis_24 pic.twitter.com/xpH7C5T70W
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 15, 2022
The Rockets fall to 2-12
They started last season 1-16
Houston has 2nd youngest roster, only behind OKC https://t.co/DJChWWn71G
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 15, 2022
Another great game by the #Rockets Jalen Green @JalenGreen tonight vs LAC
🚀 25 PTS
🚀 10-19 FG
🚀 7 AST
🚀 6 REB@HoustonRockets on AT&T SportsNet pic.twitter.com/rzm8rOdiiU— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) November 15, 2022
Rockets-Clippers Thoughts:
1. Jalen Green & Sengun running their two-man game is the perfect base to run this offense from
2. KPJ was bad but looked better when he ran the bench unit to start the 4th quarter
3. Tari Eason & KJ Martin are already excellent role players
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 15, 2022
Jabari Smith Jr started off the game well, but he hasn't been effective since at either end of the floor
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) November 15, 2022
Clips just go right at Sengun every possession. They have no fear of him at the rim
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) November 15, 2022
The ball movement has stopped and that is when the Rockets in trouble…#Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) November 15, 2022
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