HOUSTON — In the finale of a six-game homestand at Toyota Center, the Rockets fell to the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors on Monday night, 121-108 (box score). At 3-3, it was still a relatively successful home stretch for a young and rebuilding club.
In this one, “Splash Brothers” and future Hall of Famers Steph Curry (29 points, 7 rebounds) and Klay Thompson (30 points, 7 rebounds) did what they typically do in Houston, with each splashing in five 3-pointers in a victory for the visiting Warriors.
Houston dropped to 18-54 with Monday’s loss, while Golden State improved to 37-36 as they attempt to make a push in the Western Conference playoff race. It was the second night of a back-to-back for the Rockets, who also played on Sunday versus New Orleans.
With big man Alperen Sengun out sick, Jabari Smith Jr. shifted to center and rookie Tari Eason took advantage of an opportunity to start at power forward, finishing with a career-high 21 points and 12 rebounds. Eason hit 9-of-16 shots (56.3%), and he also had four steals.
Jalen Green had 20 points for Houston and made 3-of-7 from 3-point range (42.9%), though he hit just 4-of-12 from inside the arc (33.3%). Smith had another double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 7-of-15 (46.7%) and 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25.0%).
With the homestand complete, next up for the Rockets is a five-game road trip. It starts with a pair of games in Memphis on Wednesday and Friday nights, with tipoff of both at 7:00 p.m. Central.
Until then, here’s our look at postgame reaction, interviews, highlights, and much more from Monday night in Houston.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
CHA won again tonight, making it even more likely that the #Rockets will have the best lottery odds even if they win a few more games down the stretch.
— David Weiner (@BimaThug) March 21, 2023
This game is simple to diagnose. One team has Steph and Klay the other is the second youngest in the league pic.twitter.com/7kfi4CJmcw
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) March 21, 2023
I know it’s an overused word in sports now, but Tari Eason is a DOG.
His consistent energy and effort is rare nowadays
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) March 21, 2023
Give me great foot work and excellent shooting form from mid range over a dunk any day. This is excellent basketball. Jabari has come a long way in his rookie season pic.twitter.com/8UOUU3KUYc
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) March 21, 2023
“Jabari, especially, when he gets stronger, he’s going to be a problem, because he’s going to take all that contact and finish at the rim, or not get pushed off his spot,” Silas said. #Rockets https://t.co/2yOhXBLm5G
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) March 21, 2023
Silas: “Jalen’s learning the little tricks that are necessary to get to the free throw line, …but he was so diligent this summer in the weight room.
Him being able to absorb that contact as well as understand angles to get 14 free throws (vs NOP), shows a savvy he is gaining." https://t.co/2yOhXBLm5G— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) March 21, 2023
.@TAR13ASON balled out on both ends of the floor tonight and secured a new career-high!
Watch here 👇 pic.twitter.com/MhwHFz9KvR
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 21, 2023
#Rockets highlight of the game courtesy of Jabari Smith Jr with the BLOCK on Klay Thompson@jabarismithjr 17 PTS / 11 REB@HoustonRockets on AT&T SportsNet pic.twitter.com/WVhubnMN3R
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) March 21, 2023
10 games to go of a 246 game tank for the #Rockets.
Almost there.
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) March 21, 2023
Tari Eason got his 5th start of the season tonight@TAR13ASON vs GSW
🏀21 PTS🏀12 REB🏀4 STL🏀@HoustonRockets #Rockets pic.twitter.com/U5OxD8ja8l— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) March 21, 2023
The Splash Brothers powered the Warriors tonight vs. the Rockets:
Stephen Curry:
30 PTS
7 REB
5 AST
5 3PMKlay Thompson:
29 PTS
7 REB
5 3PM
11/21 FG*Their first road win after 11 straight losses on the road 👌
Final Score: GSW 121 – 108#DubNation #Warriors #NBA pic.twitter.com/aTJRUDySQe
— Fadeaway World (@FadeawayWorld) March 21, 2023
Huge thank you to @HoustonRockets Owner @TilmanJFertitta for joining me to talk about the Clutch City Cares Charity Game, as well as this young Rockets squad 🏀🚀@ATTSportsNetSW pic.twitter.com/d5qyG3x1hT
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) March 21, 2023
Draymond Green with some extended thoughts on Houston’s rebuild.
“It’s very easy to build bad habits. But habits are hard to break. You build bad habits and it kind of becomes who you are
“It’s important to try to play the right way.” pic.twitter.com/a8f0f2jYIx
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) March 21, 2023
👀 “Just really figuring out how to draw that foul,” Jalen Green said. “Just watching guys that get to the free throw line already, like Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander) really helps out, studying their game and doing it on the court.” #Rockets https://t.co/2yOhXBLm5G
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) March 21, 2023
#Rockets fall to the Warriors 121-108 but DOUBLE-DOUBLES for 2 of the @HoustonRockets rookies
Jabari Smith Jr – 17 PTS & 11 REB
Tari Eason – 21 PTS & 12 REB pic.twitter.com/X0mZQeqYks— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) March 21, 2023
