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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Ben DuBose

Jalen Green, Tari Eason lead Rockets to impressive win over Raptors

Tari Eason Jalen Green Rockets Raptors John Lucas KJ Martin Toronto Alperen Sengun Dennis Rodman Eric Gordon

Despite being down three starters, the young Houston Rockets pulled off a very impressive 116-100 (box score) preseason victory over the visiting Raptors at Toyota Center on Friday. Toronto, a perennial contender in the Eastern Conference, played the majority of its rotation players.

Second-year guard Jalen Green (23 points in 25 minutes) and rookie forward Tari Eason (24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals in 25 minutes) were the clear standouts as Houston led comfortably for most of the game. Green shot 7-of-16 overall (43.8%) and made 4-of-9 from 3-point range (44.4%) on Friday, while Eason hit 8-of-15 shots (53.3%) and 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50.0%).

The Raptors were led by former All-Star Pascal Siakam, who had 18 points and 6 rebounds in 27 minutes. Reigning Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes, who beat out Green for the honor in the 2021-22 season, was held to just 2 points on 0-of-5 shooting.

The Rockets were quite short-handed for Friday’s exhibition, as expected. Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain), Alperen Sengun (dental procedure), Eric Gordon (rest) and head coach Stephen Silas (health and safety protocol) were all out. Smith, Sengun and Gordon were replaced in the lineup by Jae’Sean Tate, Bruno Fernando and KJ Martin. Assistant John Lucas took over as acting head coach.

Martin, in particular, was impressive for the Rockets with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 27 minutes, shooting 4-of-9 from the field (44.4%) and 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50%).

Scroll on for postgame interviews and analysis. The Rockets (2-0) will resume their preseason schedule on Monday night at Miami, while the Raptors (2-1) will host Chicago on Sunday.

Highlights

Interviews and Analysis

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