Block Party: Rockets Swarm Mavs, 101-92, for Season’s Third Win
Seventh Heaven. Game of Runs. Efficient Goonies.
No Luka Doncic, no problem for the Houston Rockets. Jalen Green and company rolled into Dallas, and swatted the Mavericks out of their own building. Houston put on a dominant performance, blocking 19 shots, one shy of the franchise-record, en route to a 101-92 win in Dallas on Wednesday night. The Rockets had seven players score in double figures, led by Green and Kevin Porter Jr.’s 17 points apiece. The win also gave Houston their second road win of the year, and snapped Dallas’ home winning streak at six games. It was truly Seventh Heaven for these Rockets in North Texas.
Houston played with more physicality, bruising and bullying the Mavericks, on their way to an almost record-breaking 19 blocked shots. And this was arguably the most balanced performance of the season by the Rockets. Seven guys notched double-digits in scoring. And like most players do, everyone missed a shot for Houston… except for Usman Garuba, who had the game of his life. Garuba single-handedly dominated the second half of the second period. Garuba went 5-5 from the floor, and scored a career-high 12 points, including draining two shots from deep. Uzi also grabbed 9 boards and had 3 blocks on the night. Garuba fueled the Rockets’ key run to close the half. In fact, this was a game of runs. After Houston got off to an early lead, Dallas stormed back with an 11-0 run of their own. The Rockets countered with a strong close to the period, scoring the half’s final 15 points to regain control. The Mavs would go on another 11-0 to get back in the game in the third, but Houston managed to keep Dallas at bay with a balanced defensive showing by the squad. The Rockets only gave up 18 points in the fourth quarter, and this is the kind of defense Houston needs to carry with them as they return home for a stretch of games at Toyota Center.
Usman Garuba’s Goon Squad (KJ Martin, Usman Garuba, Tari Eason) had an extremely efficient night as they continue to provide an extra boost off the bench for the Rockets. The trio finished with 20 points on 12-for-15 shooting, and grabbed 17 rebounds. If the Goon Squad can continue to contribute in this manner off the bench, Houston has a chance to win a few games at home during this upcoming stretch. Up next, the Rockets begin their homestand by welcoming the Indiana Pacers to town. It should be a very winnable game for the squad. The Pacers are merely an average team, and Houston should be hungry to get their second home win of the season… no problem.