HOUSTON — Rockets fans in attendance saw a familiar face dominating the court at Toyota Center on Wednesday. Third-year guard Jalen Green, who was questionable to play due to an illness, did everything he could to will his team to a victory but came up short as Houston lost in overtime, 137-131, to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Green, selected by the Rockets with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, came out aggressive — as he ferociously attacked the heart of the Blazers’ defense by using his athleticism on drives.
When Portland began to drop deeper in the lane, Green began to find his spots inside the 3-point line, hitting multiple mid-range shots. It is something that Rockets head coach Ime Udoka has preached to Green all season about being decisive and aggressive on offense.
“I was really just taking what the defense was giving me,” Green said postgame. “They were in drop [defense], and they were giving me a shot that I have not been missing a lot this year… that I need to be shooting. I was just taking what the defense was giving me.”
“I was really just taking what the defense was giving me,” Said Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green after his 29-point performance against the Portland Trailblazers on Wednesday night. #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/zsspaeFW4C
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) January 25, 2024
Green shot 52% (10-for-19) from inside the 3-point arc on his way to a 29-point performance. It was only his second game to score more than 25 points in January, a feat he reached five times in January 2023, which included a pair of 40-point performances.
This time, Green bounced back from a pair of slugginsh performances in his previous two home games: 16 points against the Boston Celtics, and only 7 points in an overtime win over the Utah Jazz.
“Great job,” Rockets center Alperen Sengun, who finished with 30 points himself, said of Green’s game. “He is attacking and being more aggressive, and that is helping the team too. We have to keep that up and do it every game. We need to keep that energy every game.”
