Entering this game, the Houston Rockets in March so far are tenth in the NBA in total points per game, first in rebounds per game, and have moved up to the two seed in the West. Taking on the 16-57 Jazz, the hope for the Rockets was to not let a game slip by them and just handle business as expected…which they ended up doing, even if it wasn’t in traditional fashion.
In the first quarter, this one was a defensive battle, or more so, a lack of offense. Shooting just a mere 9/25 from the floor as a team, Houston’s rebounding ability truly carried them to start the game. Led by Alperen Sengun’s nine points and four rebounds, the Rockets 27 points and 4/11 from beyond the arc was just enough to get by in the first. Holding the Jazz to poor shooting and forcing fouls, hardly anything didn’t go the Rockets way early on.
The second quarter started off really strong however for Houston, going on a 18-7 run to take a 14 point lead over the Jazz. The defense was also back to what you’d expect from this team in a game like this, getting really solid all around rotation. A couple hustle plays from Tari as well as some solid Jock Landale minutes gave the Rockets all the momentum in the world. The only thing that was needed from Houston was to continue and play consistent and not give up any runs…neither of which was successful for the Rockets. After being up 14, Houston gave up a 16-4 run to end the first half, with Brice Sensabaugh going 3/3 from downtown and scoring some of the easiest nine points you’ll see.
Within just three minutes, Houston’s defense imploded and their offense went stagnant, hence why at Half the score was only a 53-51 lead for the Rockets. Even after winning the second chance points battle along with the rebound advantage, Utah found themselves a way to keep it close. So close, yet so far from pulling away in this game, a common issue that Houston’s faced this year.
Sigh…what more does Houston need to do to take advantage of going on a run. It seems as if this team can never quite keep their foot on the gas when it matters. Beginning the third quarter with a 19-6 run to jump the lead to a game high 15 points, in a matter of minutes Utah was right back in it with a seven point game. Incapable of getting a stop after scoring, it was a very back and fourth quarter of basketball. The refs didn’t help either, letting a LOT of contact slide for both sides in the paint. Shooting an excellent 56% from the field and 42% from three, Houston held their own on at least one end of the floor. But, they let Utah shoot 60% themselves as well as allowing 20 points inside. A big quarter from both Collin Sexton on the Jazz, and Amen Thompson for the Rockets, it’s safe to say each team had their own spark for offense, but once more, nothing on defense. Ending the third with a 89-80 lead, the chances of a Rockets win looked more probable than not.
Do I even have to say it again…sigh. With a nine point lead going into the fourth, Houston started off 0/3 from the floor and gave up a 5-0 run in just a minute of play, forcing a timeout to be called. The All-Star on the floor came to play though in this one for the Rockets as Alperen Sengun got two put-backs, the second being an and-one. Utah had decided it wasn’t over yet in their minds, continuing to score with pure ease. Only up six, it would then be Jabari Smith Jr. who’d take a 5v3 contested fast-break pullup three pointer and miss, giving Utah an easy rebound and pass down court for an easy dunk to cut the lead to four. Calling a TO to readjust, Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun would score eight straight for the Rockets and bring the lead to 11 points.
An eleven point lead against Utah mind as well be a five point game however, as they’d once more continue to just simply not miss. A constant battle on offense would finally be won by the Rockets however, with Amen getting a layup, followed up by a stop and a tough and-one finish for Jalen Green to put Houston up 10 with under two and half minutes left. The next play, Sengun closed out the game with a huge dunk, putting him at 30 points and giving Houston the 121-110 victory.
Overall, this game was a lot closer than it should’ve been, but late in the fourth quarter Houston was able to cement the win. Led by Alperen Sengun’s dominating 33-10 performance, Jalen Green (21-8-6), and Amen Thompson (15-10-5) also stepped up to finish out the game and give the Rockets their eleventh win over their past twelve. Next up Houston has the Suns on the road as well, a game that can really help the Rockets in the playoff standings as the season nears it’s end.
