The Rockets take on the Trail Blazers
The Houston Rockets are back in the limelight, and after a wave of 8 consecutive wins, the winning rate has returned to 50%, and it is still in the absence of the star Shin Jing. In this game, the Rockets faced the challenge of the Trail Blazers at home, and as long as they can win this game, the team can narrow the gap with the Warriors to 0.5 wins. From not seeing the play-off hopes, to now only one step away from the play-offs, the Rockets are naturally full of fighting spirit and hope to continue their winning streak.
Jalen Green's individual performance has made people see hope for Harden's successor. In this game, the Rockets welcomed the challenge of the Portland Trail Blazers at home, and currently suffered a six-game losing streak, the team is full of injuries, and the team is in the second-to-last team in the West, facing such an opponent, the Houston Rockets have no reason to lose.
Officially hit a nine-game winning streak
At the beginning of the first quarter of the game, Jalen Green's hand was not ideal, with only 3 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist on 1-of-5 shooting, but Landale felt hot, scoring 15 points and 5 rebounds on 5-of-5 shooting, and the team still scored 28 points in a single quarter. The Trail Blazers, without Ayton and Simmons Jr., still scored 25 points, including Henderson with 6 points, 1 rebound and 2 assists, and Reece also scored 6 points. After returning from the game in the second quarter, Jalen Green still couldn't get back his touch, only 5 points and 1 rebound on 2-of-7 shooting, and Van Jordan made 1 of 10 shots, and the team only scored 19 points in a single quarter.
The Trail Blazers seized the opportunity, and Banton finished with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists on 5-of-7 shooting, leading the team to 26 points in the first quarter, and at halftime, the Rockets trailed the Trail Blazers by four points at 47-51. In the second half, the Rockets gradually regained their form, Jalen Green scored 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block on 4-of-8 shooting, directly filling the data column, leading the team to 33 points in a single quarter, while the Trail Blazers only scored 20 points, Henderson got 5 points and 2 assists, Banton was 5 points and 2 rebounds, and the Rockets won by 13 points in a single quarter, successfully turning from a 4-point deficit to a 9-point lead.
In the final quarter of the game, the Trail Blazers did not give up, Banton scored 6 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist on 2-of-3 shooting, Jalen Green and Van Jordan carried the team's offense, and the point difference remained in double digits. Van Jordan hit a three-point shot, and Dillon hit all three free throws to stretch the difference to 16 points, and the game completely lost its suspense. In the end, the Houston Rockets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 110-92.
The next one will be the test
The Houston Rockets won the game and managed to win nine in a row, just 0.5 games away from the Warriors. Jalen Green had a terrible first half, but found his groove in the second half, shooting 9-of-26 from the field, 4-of-12 from three-point range, with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, and he has become the offensive core of this team. Van Jordan had 15 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists, Landale had 17 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists, Thompson had 12 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists, Dillon had 11 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist, and Holiday on the bench also had 11 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists, and all six players on the team scored double-doubles.
However, in the next game, the Rockets will face the real test, because the opponent is the Oklahoma City Thunder. This season's Thunder can be said to be the top team in the league, and if the Rockets want to win 10 consecutive games and continue to pursue the Warriors, then this game is bound to win. On the Trail Blazers' side, Henderson had 15 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists, Kamara had 12 points and 5 rebounds, and only 2 starters scored double-doubles, and Banton on the bench played well, with 28 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists on 11-of-21 shooting, all three of which were team-highs.