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

Takeaways: Lauri Markkanen cooks Rockets, Jalen Green drops 30 in loss to Utah

Lauri Markkanen continued his torrid 2022-23 season with a game- and career-high 49 points, leading the Utah Jazz to a 131-114 win (box score) on Thursday night at Houston’s Toyota Center.

The 7-foot Finnish forward shot 15-of-27 from the field (55.6%), 6-of-15 from 3-point range (40%) and 13-of-13 on free throws.

The Rockets (10-29), who remain in last place in the Western Conference, have lost six straight games and 11 of 12 overall. The Jazz (20-21) snapped a five-game losing streak.

Jalen Green led Houston in defeat with 30 points and 4 assists, making 10-of-11 from the free-throw line (90.9%). It was Green’s first 30-point game since a Dec. 11 victory versus Milwaukee.

Alperen Sengun added 20 points (50% FG) and 14 rebounds, while Kevin Porter Jr. had 23 points and 6 assists. Jae’Sean Tate returned from a multi-month absence due to a right ankle injury and scored 11 points in 19 reserve minutes, making 5-of-8 shots (62.5%) overall.

Scroll on for highlights, analysis and postgame interview reaction. Houston concludes its two-game homestand on Sunday versus Minnesota. The tip from Toyota Center is 6 p.m. Central.

Highlights

Analysis and Interviews

 

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