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
Tari Eason has been the #Rockets leading scorer in each of the first two games of his career.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 8, 2022
Tari Eason tonight:
24 Points
8 Rebounds
1 Assist
2 Steals
53 FG%
50 3PT%
100 FT%He has to play heavy minutes. He's too good. He has too much potential. The embodyment of "Hustle is Free". The entirety of #Rockets Twitter wanted him pre-draft and man were we right. pic.twitter.com/ATiWhiFmTn
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) October 8, 2022
Jalen Green tonight:
23 points
4 rebounds
2 assists7/16 FG
4/9 3FG
5/5 FTGreat night from Jalen. Aggressive, scored at all three levels and got to the free throw line consistently.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 8, 2022
.@TAR13ASON has me very, very excited about his potential as an NBA player. Just a total knack for the game in virtually every way. #Rockets
— Adam Clanton (@adamclanton) October 8, 2022
KJ MARTIN !!!!!!@HoustonRockets beat the Raptors 116-100@kj__martin 13 PTS / 5 REB / 3 AST / 2 STL#Rockets improve to 2-0 in the Preseason pic.twitter.com/SnSnSGtHL8
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) October 8, 2022
John Lucas said Tari Eason is a perfect example of a better Dennis Rodman.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) October 8, 2022
John Lucas is not a man devoid of perspective. For him to throw out David Robinson and Dennis Rodman comps for Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason this week, in regards to their approach, is quite meaningful.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) October 8, 2022
KJ Martin
13 pts
5 Rebs
3 asts
2 stls+25 highest on the team
— 🚀s Agenda 🅿️usher (@WestheimerWild1) October 8, 2022
I asked Coach Lucas about the energy KJ brought from the start of the game. “ If you don’t bring the energy I am going to take your minutes and give them to somebody else. pic.twitter.com/rlDRRGxtPd
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 8, 2022
ROCKETS WIN 116-100 !!!!!
Tari Eason tonight vs Toronto
🏀 24 PTS
🏀 8-15 FG
🏀 6-6 FT
🏀 8 REB
🏀 2 STL@TAR13ASON talks with our @SportsVanessa
@HoustonRockets #Rockets pic.twitter.com/bbV9O8Y9eZ— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) October 8, 2022
High praise from Coach Lucas when talking about Tari Eason. Here he is answering @BigSargeSportz question about Eason play tonight pic.twitter.com/wtgeBb1RDF
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 8, 2022
I asked Jalen and KPJ about the chemistry they are building together pic.twitter.com/kqKNiuCwLL
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 8, 2022
Tari had himself a GAME
📊 24PTS 8REB pic.twitter.com/JYjVK3Rvhj
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 8, 2022
