Rockets Race Past Trail Blazers, 125-103, to Cap Road Trip
Second Half Surge. All-Star Duo. Halfway Mark.
After a sluggish first half, the Rockets blasted out of gates after halftime, cruising to a 125-103 win over the Trail Blazers on Saturday night. Houston led by only one point, 51-50, entering the break, but led by Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green, the squad dominated Portland in the second half. Green once again led the Rockets in scoring, as he scored 26 points on another efficient night, shooting 10-for-17 from the floor. Sengun scored 14 of his 23 points in the third quarter, and also grabbed 15 boards while dishing out 6 assists in the win. After struggling offensively over the last few games, Dillon Brooks scored 22 points in a bounce back performance. And his second game back from injury, Tari Eason had a solid night, registering 18 points and 8 rebounds in 23 minutes of action. Scoot Henderson led the Blazers with 21 points and 11 assists, but Portland never threatened Houston’s lead after the Rockets managed to take control of the game in the third period.
For the first time seemingly in their four year careers, Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green are both playing at an All-Star level simultaneously. And with Houston in second place in the brutally competitive Western Conference, the Rockets should expect to have at least one member of their dynamic duo officially named an All-Star this season. Green or Sengun won’t get enough fan votes, but the rest of the voting goes to coaches and then the media. And with the respect Houston is slowly gaining nationally, the Rockets deserve to see at least Green or Sengun heading to San Francisco for the All-Star Game this year. Regardless if they get named All-Stars or not, Houston has two of the best young players in this league, and they’re evolving into stars before our eyes.
With Saturday night’s victory in Portland, the Rockets are now officially at the halfway mark of this season. Houston already has the same amount of road wins this season, with 14, as they did all of last season. And with a 28-13 record at the midway point, this squad has exceeded everyone’s expectations. No one expected the Rockets to be in second place right now in what’s truly a bloodbath: the NBA’s Western Conference. Houston’s excited where they are, but as Head Coach Ime Udoka’s expressed, the Rockets can still improve… as they’re aiming for an even better second half what’s already been an impressive season.