On March 31, Beijing time, the Rockets lost 118-121 at home to the Kings. However, the Rockets double-gun Jaylen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. both excelled, cutting 30+, with Porter scoring a triple-double. The Rockets are back with super double guns, and they are the hope of rising again.
Kevin Porter Jr. played a triple-double of 30 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. Jaylen Green had 32 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists and 6-of-14 shooting from three-point range. The Rockets' new version of the double gun combined to have 62 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists.
Porter created a miracle, and the 21-year-old is the youngest player in Rockets history to cut a triple-double in a single game. Previously, the record holder was Steve Francis (22 years and 340 days). Porter Jr. also became the third player to cut a 30+ triple-double after the Rockets' Solajuwon, the first two being Harden and Westbrook. Green has scored 30+ on four occasions this season, ranking first among rookies, at least twice as many as any other rookie.
This season's Rockets are aiming to train players, of which the leader Green and Porter Jr. are the focus of training. Green was in poor shape at the start of the season, exposing shooting flaws. But this season, Green has been honing his skills, often practicing after regular training and games. Rockets assistant coach John Lucas urged Green to hone his skills, and it worked very well.
Greene in March was in excellent form. Prior to this game, Green averaged 20.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game in March, shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from three-point range.
In this battle, the Rockets lacked Wood on the inside line, and could only use rookie Garupa center, and the team mainly relied on two guns to score points. The Rockets' other receivers didn't fare well, with Tate scoring just seven points, Garruba eight and Matthews three. The positive and negative values of these three digits are -19, -17, and -19, respectively. Both Green and Porter have plus-minus values of 0.
The Rockets' other starters dragged their feet. The Rockets' backcourt double gun has good talent, but other players lack talent. The team played very hard in the final quarter. The two guns show the spirit of struggle. With 2 minutes and 39 seconds left in the game, Green assisted Porter's layup and scored, and created a foul, and also hit a penalty to complete the 2+1. Picking up 10.5 seconds, Green scored three-pointers to help the Rockets close the gap to one point, and it was Porter who gave him an assist.
The Rockets' backcourt double gun formed a good chemistry, and although the game was lost, both of them undoubtedly had a bright future, especially Green is expected to become the real leader of the Rockets next season.