Rockets Torch Pelicans, 128-111, to Close Road Trip
The BIG Easy. Slamsational. Stepping Up.
For the the second straight game, the Rockets incited boos due to their tremendous play… jeers directed at the opposition from their own fans. This time, it was in New Orleans, as Houston led by as many as 30 points en route to a dominant 128-111 victory on Thursday night. The win gives the Rockets a perfect 3-0 record to finish this Holiday road trip, and it’s their fourth straight victory overall. As in their previous win in Charlotte on Monday, this game was very easy in The Big Easy for Houston. With Dillon Brooks and Tari Eason still sidelined, the Rockets had plenty of players step up in their absences.
Jalen Green once had a strong game against the Pelicans. In the first matchup in Houston, Green scored 34 points, including a career-high 22-point third quarter. This time around in The Big Easy, Green got off to a fast start, scoring 16 of his 30 points in the first quarter. Green once again had a few tremendous slams, including a windmill after a steal in transition in the first half. Fred VanVleet had another great game, as the veteran is slowly rediscovering his shot after a slow offensive start to the season. FVV scored 15 of his 25 points in the third quarter. Both Green and VanVleet rested the entire fourth quarter, as the game was in Houston’s control, and the Rockets play again tomorrow night against a much tougher opponent, in the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Alperen Sengun recorded 10 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists. And Amen Thompson registered 9 points, 10 boards, and a ridiculous 5 blocks in another solid outing in a starting role. Jae’Sean Tate quietly continues to flash this Houston squad’s depth. A guy who barely plays when the Rockets are completely healthy, Tate is the consummate professional, he always plays hard and makes winning plays. In Thursday’s win, Tate scored 10 points and had 2 rebounds.
After a stretch of impressive performances, Jabari Smith Jr. struggled, scoring only 6 points on 1-for-7 shooting. But Bari needn’t worry. He’s not Reed Sheppard. The rookie had by far his worst game of his career against the Pelicans. Sheppard didn’t play until Houston seized control of the game. Yet despite seeing only garbage-time minutes, the rookie shot 0-for-8 from the floor, and made the usual hesitant, “what do I do here?” decisions that never end up in the Rockets’ favor. Houston Head Coach Ime Udoka better send Sheppard to the G-League before he accidentally sabotages the entire season for the Rockets, and potentially jeopardizing their playoff seeding.
Saving the juiciest performance for last, Cam Whitmore had the best game of his career. Whitmore scored a career-high 27 points, including some sensational dunks. “Slam Whitmore” continues to improve with playing time. He saw 27 minutes of action in Houston’s win, and did not disappoint. The second year forward is making a very strong case to remain in the Rockets’ rotation. It’s going to be hard for Udoka to sit him when Brooks and Eason return after how well he’s played over the past three games, the only contests he’s really gotten a chance to display his potential.
Up next for Houston, the Rockets return home to start a very tough five-game homestand at Toyota Center tomorrow night. The Minnesota Timberwolves are back in town waiting for the Rockets, who beat them earlier in Minneapolis in an overtime thriller. It’s a back-to-back for the Rockets, but it’s their first home game in over two weeks. Hopefully the fans can gas the squad up enough to beat a much tough Wolves team than any squad the Rockets faced on this last road trip.