Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Ben DuBose

Takeaways: Alperen Sengun’s epic run continues, but Pacers bomb Rockets with 3s

Alperen Sengun Rockets Jalen Green Pacers Aaron Holiday Houston (Organization) Fred VanVleet Ben DuBose Tari Eason Dillon Brooks

In the opener of a season-high seven-game homestand at Toyota Center, the Houston Rockets (15-13) couldn’t withstand a barrage of 3-pointers from Tyrese Haliburton and Indiana (15-14) in the Pacers’ 123-117 win (box score) on Tuesday night.

Led by 33 points and 10 assists from Haliburton, the Pacers hit 19-of-43 from 3-point range (44.2%), which easily topped a woeful 5-of-24 showing (20.8%) on a cold shooting night for the Rockets.

Rockets center Alperen Sengun finished with 30 points (55% FG), 16 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals, giving him back-to-back games with 30-plus points for the first time in his young NBA career. That wasn’t enough to offset a massive discrepancy in 3-pointer volume.

Jalen Green, also a third-year prospect, had his recent slump continue. He scored just 5 points on poor shooting while playing below 20 minutes (none in the fourth quarter) for the first time this season. Tari Eason (16 points, 8 rebounds, 53.8% FG) and Aaron Holiday (15 points, 3-of-6 on 3-pointers) picked up the slack with strong performances off the bench to keep Houston competitive.

Fred VanVleet led Houston had 18 points and 9 assists, but he shot 7-of-18 overall (38.9%) and 1-of-7 on 3-pointers (14.3%), which meshed perfectly with the theme of Tuesday’s game.

The loss came at an additional cost to the Rockets, who lost veteran defensive wing Dillon Brooks to a right abdominal oblique strain. His potential return timetable was not immediately clear.

Here’s our look at Tuesday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up is Phoenix (14-14) on Wednesday night, with a tip at 7 p.m. Central. Houston will be on the second night of a home back to back.

Rockets-Pacers Dec. 26 reaction

 

 

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
FDA restricts psychoactive mushroom used in some edibles
The regulator warned food manufacturers that Amanita muscaria –  more commonly known as the fly agaric – and the compounds it contains are not authorized to use
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
“I go to church every Sunday when I’m home. Especially now I’ve replaced the booze with glue”: From GN’R and Pantera to Ozzy Osbourne and God, Zakk Wylde is the most connected man in rock
It’s Zakk Wylde’s world - we just live in it
Metal Hammer
Metal Hammer
My husband and I tried the Scandi Sleep Method and love it — 3 reasons you will too
We avoided a sleep divorce thanks to the Scandinavian Sleep Method, but will it work for you too? Three telltale signs that it will...
Tom’s Guide
Tom’s Guide
45 Years Ago, A Disney Misstep Was A Secret Sci-Fi Masterpiece
The haters were wrong. On its 45th birthday, 'The Black Hole' is just as wonderfully manic as ever. Here's why this flop is actually worth your time.
Inverse
Inverse
Black long COVID patients ignored
New research found that those living with long COVID in the U.S. had significantly more anxiety and depression
Salon
Salon
Jared Leto’s latest ‘iconic’ role leaves fans divided
‘Skeletor was going to make or break this movie,’ said one fan
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play