Kevin Porter Jr. continued his strong run of form as the Houston Rockets (19-59) ended a seven-game losing streak with Fridayโs 121-115 victory (box score) over Detroit (16-61). The game kicked off this seasonโs final homestand of three games at Toyota Center.
Porter scored a game-high 33 points on 12-of-20 shooting (60.0%), including a blistering 7-of-13 mark from 3-point range (53.8%). Meanwhile, backcourt mate Jalen Green added 32 points and 5 assists on 10-of-18 shooting (55.6%) and 2-of-5 from 3-point range (40.0%).
Frontcourt starters Alperen Sengun (15 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists) and Jabari Smith Jr. (13 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks) each had simultaneous double-doubles for a second straight game.
In Fridayโs narrow defeat, the Pistons were led by rookie guard Jaden Ivey, who had 18 points and a game-high 9 assists. However, he was less efficient than Houstonโs young backcourt, shooting just 8-of-20 overall (40.0%) and 2-of-9 from 3-point range (22.2%).
Scroll on for highlights, postgame interviews with players and head coach Stephen Silas, and reaction from Houston fans and media members. The Rockets will continue their homestand Sunday versus the Los Angeles Lakers, with tipoff set for 6:00 p.m. Central.
Asked Silas about Jalen & KPJ first time both scoring 30+ this season:
“Mahmoud’s been telling me to put that pick and roll in for a month. And Rick Higgins was like ‘put it in’ so I put it in and they went. Playing off each other, getting downhill. Attacking and making reads.”
โ Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) April 1, 2023
Rockets lived at the line tonight and it’s a significant reason why they’re up right now, a 36-19 edge over Det
โ Abel (@AbelGe87) April 1, 2023
The Rockets in all likelihood will finish 3rd since they have 4 games remaining and SA has five which they’re most likely to drop, beating them both games in that 2 game series was also a huge reason why it will play out that way
โ Abel (@AbelGe87) April 1, 2023
#Rockets beat Pistons late, which ties them with the Spurs in the win column for the #2/#3 spot in the lottery. 7th pick of the draft is now possible.
Finishing with the worst record for the 3rd straight year isn’t going to happen. With 4 games left, Detroit has a 3-game…
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