Rockets Cruise Past Pistons, 136-113, Snap Skid to Start New Year
Fresh Start. Third Quarter Liftoff. Building Chemistry.
The Rockets started 2024 with a fresh start, dismantling the Pistons, 136-113, on New Year’s Day. The win snaps Houston’s three-game losing streak, and puts the squad one game over .500 (16-15) in the standings. Alperen Sengun overcame a slow start to lead the Rockets with 26 points and 9 assists. Jalen Green also continued his run of recent strong performances, scoring 22 points on 50% shooting, including going 5-for-9 beyond the arc. Green’s bounced back with three strong games in a row after being mired in the worst slump of his career earlier this season. Tari Eason is making a strong case for the NBA’s 6th Man of the Year Award. Eason scored 17 points to go along with his usual tenacity and energy off the bench. Jae’Sean Tate provided 16 points, as he’s quietly having a very efficient season for Houston. And Cam “Slam” Whitmore saw another slice of court action, scoring 9 points and grabbing 4 boards in only 8 minutes of playing time. In then first ever “Twin Game” between the Thompson brothers, Amen outplayed Detroit’s Ausar, arguably putting together his best game of the season. Amen Thompson finished with a season-high 12 points, 4 boards, and 6 assists in 28 minutes of action, the most playing time he’s seen in his career.
Despite the final score, this game was actually close and contested in the first half. The Rockets entered halftime holding only a four-point edge. However, the third quarter was Houston’s best of the season. Sengun and Green dominated the frame en route to outscoring Detroit 47-25 in the period. The 47 points were 2 shy of the franchise record for points in a period. After the Pistons’ Jalen Duren received his fourth foul, that’s when the Rockets started their run. Duren is one the strongest men in the league, and gave Sengun trouble in the first half. Once Sengun got him into foul trouble, The Wizard and Jalen Green out on a third-quarter show, exemplifying the appearance of this squad when they reach their potential.
With Sengun and Green starting to click, Houston has added another dynamic to their offense. If Green can continue his strong play and build chemistry with Sengun, the Rockets will improve exponentially. Sengun already has great chemistry with Fred VanVleet on the floor. If Houston’s two centerpieces can build on this bond, the Rockets can potentially sneak into the playoffs this season. The squad will now look to build on this victory, as they host the reeling Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night. it’s the fifth game of this seven-game home-stand. The remaining two matchups are against elite competition, featuring Milwaukee and Minnesota. Houston desperately needs to earn the win tonight to stay afloat and remain within striking distance of a playoff spot. Currently in 9th place in the Western Conference, the Rockets can climb up and make some noise in the standings by stringing some wins together to begin the new year.