Rockets Eviscerate Raptors, 135-106, in Blowout Win
Rookie Showcase. Paint Patrollers. Rolling Reserves.
Houston closed their three-game home-stand with a defiant 135-106 win over the Toronto Raptors on Friday night. The Rockets dominated the contest from the opening tip, and improved to 23-25 on the season. This feels like the first time in ages since Houston has strung four quarters of solid basketball together. All fourteen Rocket players scored, and they were led by the youngsters who put on a rookie showcase. Cam Whitmore continues to be a revelation since receiving ample playing time. Whitmore scored a career-high 25 points on 10-for-17 shooting from the floor, and grabbed 6 rebounds. Amen Thompson also had a career-scoring night, registering 19 points on a terrific 9-for-11 shooting from the field. Thompson had a well-rounded game as he compiled 7 boards, 4 assists, 2 steals, and a block to accompany his scoring. The rookies are obviously gaining more comfortability with increased playing time, and their production has shown their growth in confidence. Alperen Sengun had another fantastic game for Houston. Sengun scored 24 points, grabbed 13 boards, and dished out 8 dimes in another near triple-double affair. Jalen Green had a quieter night against the Raptors, scoring 14 points on 7-for-14 shooting. Green failed to hit a three-point shot after being very efficient over his last three games from beyond the arc. Scottie Barnes led Toronto with 28 points, and new-addition Immanuel Quickly added 25, but the Rockets were in control of the game from start to finish.
This game was absolutely dominated in the paint by Houston, who scored their most interior points in over 20 years. The Rockets scored a whopping 84 points in the paint, outscoring the Raptors by 30 in the interior. Houston was able to get whatever they wanted around the rim, as Toronto has no real rim protectors on their team, and this was on fully display on Friday night. The Rocket reserves were also superb against the Dinos. Houston’s bench scored 70 points, outscoring the Raptors by 40, as they managed only 30 points from their reserves. Six players scored in double figures for Houston, and every single player scored at least a bucket.
The squad has now gone 2-1 over their past three games. They’ll try and take these winning ways on the road, as the Rockets prepare to embark on a four-game road trip. Only six games remain before the All-Star Break, and five of them are on the road. Houston is still only 5-16 on the road. They are tied in the West with the last-place Spurs for the least road wins in the Conference. The Rockets really need to start winning a few games away from Toyota Center. Houston lost some heartbreakers on the road earlier in the season, but hopefully on this upcoming trip, they can go at least 2-2 over the next four games. They’ll need to if they want to stay in the running for a Play-In Spot. The Rockets are currently still in 11th place, one spot behind the final Play-In position. They’ll need to be ready to play immediately on the road as the first test is the toughest. Houston will travel to Minnesota to face the first-place Timberwolves, as they embark on the road, hoping for more success than in the past.