HOUSTON — In a showdown between talented shooters, Jalen Green dominated perennial All-Star Donovan Mitchell as the Rockets routed the visiting Cavaliers, 117-103 (The score of the box), Saturday afternoon at the Toyota Center. The gap was impressive against Cleveland (42-25), which remains No. 3 in the Eastern Conference standings.
Houston (32-35) has now won five straight games and is 7-1 in March, and its hopes of a late season race at the Western Play-In Tournament stay alive. After Saturday’s Lakers-Warriors game concludes, the Rockets will be three games in the loss column from 10th place in the conference, which represents the final spot in the play-in tournament for the 2024 playoffs.
Green finished Saturday with a game-high 26 points and 11 rebounds, making 9 of 20 shots (45.0%) and 4 of 9 from 3-point range (44.4%). His counterpart, Mitchell, only had 13 points and 3 rebounds while shooting 4 of 13 from the field (30.8%).
Other notable statistical lines include:
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks; 8 of 13 on shots (61.5%), 3 of 5 on 3 points (60.0%)
- Fred VanVleet: 13 points, 16 assists, 1 turnover; 3 out of 8 from 3 points (37.5%)
- Amen Thompson: 18 points, 8 rebounds, 1 interception; 8 out of 11 shots (72.7%)
- Caris Levert (Cavaliers): 21 points, 7 assists, 3 steals; 8 out of 14 shots (57.1%)
Asked about Houston’s mindset, Thompson said after the game:
Win every game the rest of the year. … We’re trying to make the playoffs.
Here’s our look back at the highlights and post-match interviews, plus reactions from media members and fans. The next step will be Tuesday in Washington (11-55), where the announcement is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Central Time. The Rockets routed the Wizards last Thursday in Houston.
THE #Rockets have officially surpassed their preseason win total projection of 31.5 wins with 15 games remaining and are just 3 games away from play-in. 32 wins and counting on the season. It seems like everything is coming together. This season has largely been a success.
–Roosh (@RooshWilliams) March 16, 2024
THE #Rockets as beautiful as they have been all season. Ime Udoka has this team locked down and focused despite numerous significant injuries.
–Roosh (@RooshWilliams) March 16, 2024
Åžengün, Eason, Whitmore, Adams still need to be added to these Rockets rosters next season…a 50+ win season wouldn’t be a crazy prediction.
– Statistics by Steven Adams (@funakistats) March 16, 2024
THE #Rockets Top 4 choices tonight:
Jalen Green – Pick #2: 26 PTS, 11 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK, 57.4 TS, +16
Jabari Smith – pick #3: 20 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 3 BLK, 74.4 TS, +22
Amen Thompson – Pick #4: 18 PTS, 8 REB, 1 STL, 73.1 TS, +13 pic.twitter.com/1ox2EzfJhu
– ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) March 16, 2024
The Rockets defense really seems to have broken Donovan Mitchell
-Nathan Fogg (@NathanFogg1) March 16, 2024
“We’ve had a lot more wins than we’ve had in the last couple of years, so it’s good to see the progress and what we could do. So we’re going to keep trying to get better every day and try to make this race successful “, the Rockets said. Jalen Green on watching the rankings. #Serge pic.twitter.com/MkWQi16M2m
– #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) March 17, 2024
The Rockets played like that to start the season.. that playoff style.. force teams to beat you in iso.. that’s a hard style to maintain for me that’s why they crashed.. but after the ASB.. you may have just enough juice to make noise..
– Apathetic (@ftank58) March 16, 2024
#Rockets are 7-2 in their last 9 games, with the 2 losses being 6 to Clips and 5 to Phx.
Jalen Green in these games:
25.7 points per game
58.8% TS
47.0% fg
38.1% three point fg
54.6% two point fg
82.9% feet
5.6 rebs
3.3 ast
1.1 stl
+85 plus minus🚀
-Don Dougan (@don_dougan) March 17, 2024
It’s one thing to dominate the Washington Generals, but dominating the Cavs from start to finish is one of the most impressive things I’ve seen all year from the Rockets.
– Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) March 16, 2024
Jabari Smith Jr. is playing some of the best basketball of his career tonight.
When his jumpers are falling and he’s playing defense that well, he’s a HUGE plus for that. #Rockets team.
And he’s only 20 years old. pic.twitter.com/oT9XCrnokv
– Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) March 16, 2024
Whether we make the playoffs or not, that’s what I wanted.
I wanted the Houston #Rockets in MUST win games for the first time in this kernel’s iteration.
I compare this to what the Suns bubble went through. These games mean something.
– ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) March 16, 2024
The Houston #Rockets schedule for the remainder of the season.
We are currently 3 games out of the play-in tournament (could be 2.5 with a Warriors L tonight).
How many wins do you see here? pic.twitter.com/ElDUddiHyp
– ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) March 16, 2024
Rockets.
Won’t.
Die.
– John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) March 16, 2024
Jalen Green simply takes what the defense gives him right now, without predetermination. You go under or try to contain a switch, it just goes straight to the pullup. pic.twitter.com/zRdG7KBkF9
– Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) March 16, 2024
Jalen Green’s isolation defense this season – allowing just 0.875 points per possession – continues to impress. Leverage his athleticism to stop drives and his wingspan to disrupt and contest shots.
-Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) March 16, 2024
Without Åžengün, #Rockets were more aggressive in their ball switching, placing more emphasis on players’ ability to guard multiple positions. Thompson, who Udoka called Thursday “one of the best wing defenders in the league,” rose to the challenge admirably. https://t.co/a7bggVc9ES
– Chris A. White 🠻 (@fyrebear) March 16, 2024
7 really strong minutes for Jae’Sean Tate coming off the bench. Defended, accelerated, made a 3. The Rockets were at +8 with him on the floor
-Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 16, 2024
#Rockets have won 7 of 8. The offense has caught fire and they are only 3 games behind Golden State.
The season was supposed to end with the departure of Alperen Sengün. Jalen Green, Fred VanVleet and Co. are keeping the playoff dream alive.https://t.co/vCenmJdmkX
-Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) March 17, 2024
With today’s victory against Cleveland, the #Rockets with 32 wins and counting, officially reached the OVER of 31.5 wins for the season. Excellent coaching and player development. 📈📈📈🚀 pic.twitter.com/9TN6jNXxNr
– Chris A. White 🠻 (@fyrebear) March 17, 2024
For everyone who wanted Jalen Green to do it against a good team:
26 points | 11 REC | 4AST | 3 PIECES
45 FG% | 44 3FG% | 57 TS%
+16 and 1 TO in a DOMINANT victory… pic.twitter.com/k60tNKCRkn
–Rishi (@RishiRockets) March 16, 2024
