Rockets Fend-Off Knicks, 105-103, to Snap Skid
Home, Sweet Home. Starting Double-Double. Controversial Ending.
Houston held a firm 14-point lead at halftime on Monday night against the Knicks. Another poor third quarter almost doomed the Rockets, as they were outscored 28-17 in the period. However, Houston held on to beat the Knicks, 105-103, in their final game at Toyota Center before the All-Star break. Controversy surrounded the final play, as Jalen Brunson was called for a foul on Aaron Holiday’s late heave when the game was tied 103-103 with 0.3 remaining. Brunson had previously tied the game with a jumper, giving the Rockets 8 seconds to score. Holiday’s heave didn’t look like it had any chance of going in the hoop. However, first the first time seemingly all season, Houston was on the good side of a bad call from the officials on Monday night. New York filed a protest after the game, however only six protests have been successful in NBA history, and it’s very unlikely this far into the season the league will interfere with the result.
Dillon Brooks led the way for the Rockets with 23 points. Jabari Smith Jr. finished with 20 points and 7 boards. Alperen Sengun registered 18 points and 6 dimes, and Amen Thompson had another spectacular game. Basically a double-double machine when he starts, the rookie just missed the mark, but had a spectacular game defensively and finished with 8 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists. Jalen Green scored 16 points on an average night, and Aaron Holiday had another superb game off the bench. Holiday scored 18 points, including nailing the game-winning free throws. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 27 points, and Donte DiVinceno added 23 points for New York.
The Rockets are now 19-9 at home, as opposed to 5-20 on the road. Houston has one more game before the All-Star Break, as they will to travel to Memphis to face the Grizzlies for the final time this season on Wednesday night. The Rockets will be aiming for a sweep, and also will be looking to win back-to-back games for the first time since early January. Houston is 3-0 against Memphis this season, and will be eyeing a sweep in their last game before the break. The Rockets have really struggled on the road, but one of those road wins came in Memphis. Houston will aim to repeat that short history on Wednesday night.