HOUSTON — In a game that might be remembered most for KJ Martin’s emphatic poster dunk over Ivica Zubac, the host Rockets lost yet again, 122-106, (box score) to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday. Houston is an NBA-worst 2-12 this season.
Jalen Green continued his recent surge with a game-high 25 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds, and he did so efficiently on 10-of-19 shooting (52.6%) and 3-of-8 from 3-point range (37.5%).
However, in what’s becoming a consistent theme of late, Green didn’t have nearly enough help from his supporting cast. Kevin Porter Jr. had 20 points and 7 rebounds but shot just 6-of-18 (33.3%) and 0-of-4 on 3-pointers. Forwards Eric Gordon and Jabari Smith Jr. combined for just 11 points on 3-of-10 shooting (30.0%). Collectively, Houston’s four other starters shot 2-of-11 on 3-pointers (18.2%).
Paul George had a team-high 22 points and 8 rebounds to lead the Clippers (8-6), who are 3-0 against Houston this season.
Scroll on for highlights, analysis and postgame interviews. Houston travels to Dallas for a road game on Wednesday before launching a four-game homestand at Toyota Center this weekend. Tipoff between the Rockets and Mavericks is at 7:30 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
Eric Gordon: “We didn’t play our game. We didn’t have any energy, didn't play with togetherness and we got the result that happened.”
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) November 15, 2022
Rockets are at the bottom of the league in fast break points which was a point of emphasis coming into the season. I asked Coach Silas was the lack of defensive stops the biggest reason pic.twitter.com/zEhLPsfqOE
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 15, 2022
Eric Gordon: "If you have a winning mentality, moving the ball should be something you should do. Believing in your teammates and believing in what you should do, that's the way it goes when you try to win, and we didn't do that."
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) November 15, 2022
Coach Silas on why Jabari Smith struggled tonight and what he needs to do to get more involved in the game
Question by @CotyDavis_24 pic.twitter.com/xpH7C5T70W
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 15, 2022
The Rockets fall to 2-12
They started last season 1-16
Houston has 2nd youngest roster, only behind OKC https://t.co/DJChWWn71G
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 15, 2022
Another great game by the #Rockets Jalen Green @JalenGreen tonight vs LAC
🚀 25 PTS
🚀 10-19 FG
🚀 7 AST
🚀 6 REB@HoustonRockets on AT&T SportsNet pic.twitter.com/rzm8rOdiiU— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) November 15, 2022
Rockets-Clippers Thoughts:
1. Jalen Green & Sengun running their two-man game is the perfect base to run this offense from
2. KPJ was bad but looked better when he ran the bench unit to start the 4th quarter
3. Tari Eason & KJ Martin are already excellent role players
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 15, 2022
Jabari Smith Jr started off the game well, but he hasn't been effective since at either end of the floor
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) November 15, 2022
Clips just go right at Sengun every possession. They have no fear of him at the rim
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) November 15, 2022
The ball movement has stopped and that is when the Rockets in trouble…#Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) November 15, 2022
KJ Martin told Alperen Sengun to "stop f*cking fouling" in a positive way while the two were sitting at their lockers.
Asked him about that exchange:https://t.co/uA8xpReLbr pic.twitter.com/Rzgwyxio9w
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 15, 2022
I asked Jalen why he believes his shot attempts go down in the 4th and how that can be fixed going forward pic.twitter.com/9S67Qmt6LJ
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 15, 2022
😡
— Eric Gordon (@TheofficialEG10) November 15, 2022
Jalen Green has 19 assists the last 3 games after tying a career high with 7 assists tonight pic.twitter.com/hMRkHVQvap
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 15, 2022
Silas: "One of those out of 82 that you just have a little frustration, trying to play so hard, trying to be perfect, trying to get over the hump, especially with your first home game after we've been on the road for so long." https://t.co/A3ziWAVtpO
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) November 15, 2022
19 assists over the last 3 games for Jalen Green
He talked about seeing the court better after tonight's #Rockets game against the Clippers pic.twitter.com/m0zE0nQaEn
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) November 15, 2022