In a clear mismatch between franchises in different positions, the Rockets wrapped up a three-game road trip and their first half of the NBA’s 2024-25 regular season with Saturday’s 125-103 blowout victory (box score) at Portland.
With the win, Houston (28-13) extended its lead for the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference. The overmatched Trail Blazers (13-28) remain in rebuilding mode near the bottom of the West standings.
Individual statistics of note included:
- Jalen Green: 26 points, 5 rebounds; 10-of-17 shooting (58.8%), 4-of-6 on 3-pointers (66.7%)
- Alperen Sengun: 23 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals; 10-of-19 shooting (52.6%)
- Dillon Brooks: 22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists; 9-of-18 shooting (50.0%)
- Tari Eason: 18 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals; 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%), 6-of-8 on free throws (75.0%)
- Cam Whitmore: 12 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists; 4-of-14 shooting (28.6%)
- Scoot Henderson (Trail Blazers): 21 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds; 6-of-11 shooting (54.5%), 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%)
After a somewhat lethargic and uninspired first half, the Rockets scored 74 points in the second half to take command of the game. Houston, which leads the NBA in rebounding, won the rebounding battle versus Portland by a commanding 61-40 margin. The Rockets also forced 19 turnovers from the Trail Blazers while committing only 12, themselves.
Forwards Jabari Smith Jr. (left hand fracture) and Amen Thompson (left calf tightness) were sidelined for the Rockets, while the Trail Blazers were without promising young center Donovan Clingan (right ankle sprain) and veteran big man Deandre Ayton (lower back soreness).
Jan. 18 Rockets-Trail Blazers Complete Highlights
Jan. 18 Postgame Reaction and Interviews
#Rockets finish the first half of the 2024-25 season at 28-13 and No. 2 in the West, on a 56-26 pace.
Alperen Sengun to @SportsVanessa on the second half: “We’re gonna keep winning.”
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 19, 2025
Jalen Green tonight vs the Blazers: 29 minutes26 points 5 rebounds10/17 field goal4/6 from 32/2 free throw73% TS 1 steal+23Didn’t play the 4th
Keep Stacking 😈😈 pic.twitter.com/li3PCMvI0U
— Julie Gilchrist (@JulieanneGilch1) January 19, 2025
Rockets are going to hit the halfway point on a 56 win pace and second in the West by two games in the loss column over a team they have the tiebreaker with
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 19, 2025
Jalen Green stats since Thanksgiving Eve (#Rockets 15-7 in 22 games, 28-13 and No. 2 in West for season):🏀 24.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists🏀 48.3% FG, 41.6% on 3s, 89.1% on FTs
🚀 62.0% TS (!!!) https://t.co/3RpFnDU51Z
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 19, 2025
Q: What’s been different about the offense these last few weeks?
Fred VanVleet: “Jalen Green.”
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) January 19, 2025
What’s Next
The Rockets return home for a pair of games at Toyota Center, starting with Monday’s matinee versus the Detroit Pistons (21-21). Tipoff is at 1:00 p.m. Central.
More: ‘Sky is the limit’: NBA veteran Jeff Green on future of Houston’s Amen Thompson
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: In win at Portland, Rockets finish first half of season on 56-win pace
