HOUSTON — Led by rising star Jalen Green, the Rockets overcame a slow start and extended their winning streak to nine games with a 110-92 victory Monday (The score of the box) above Portland.
Houston is now 11-1 in March, leading the NBA, and it’s only half a game behind Golden State (36-34) for 10th place in the Western Conference ranking. This represents the final play-in tournament spot to potentially qualify for the 2024 playoffs.
With the win, the Rockets (36-35) are above .500 for the first time since Jan. 12, and Houston’s nine-game streak is the franchise’s longest. in more than five years. The Rockets are now 26-11 for the 2023-24 season in home games at Toyota Center.
Trailing by nine points, Houston finished Monday’s third quarter on a 25-7 run to take control of the game. After missing 10 of his first 13 shots, Green brought more energy on offense and defense and combatted those struggles.
Although his shooting line remained ineffective (34.6%) due to a slow start, Green finished with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals, and that total included four 3-pointers and 5 of 6 shooting from free throws (83.3%). .
Other notable lines for the Rockets:
- Jock Landale: 17 points, 9 rebounds; 6 of 6 on shots, 2 of 2 on 3-pointers, 3 of 3 on free throws
- Fred VanVleet: 15 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds; 5 of 18 on shots (27.8%), 2 of 8 on 3 points (25.0%)
- Amen Thompson: 12 points, 9 rebounds; Shooting 6 of 12 (50.0%)
- Aaron Vacation: 11 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds; 6 out of 6 free throws, +21 in 24 minutes
Landale made his first start of the season at center, where he replaced Jabari Smith Jr. (league suspension).
Dalano Banton led the Trail Blazers (19-53) with 28 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 11 of 21 from the field (52.4%). But Houston’s defense tightened as the game wore on, with the Rockets giving up just 41 points in the second half.
Here’s our look back at Monday night’s highlights and post-game interviews, plus reactions from media members and fans. Once the home game is over, the next step will be Wednesday’s tough game at Oklahoma City (49-21), where tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central Time.
Fred VanVleet dagger.#Rockets (36-35) are above .500 for the first time since January 12, and their nine-game winning streak is the franchise’s longest in over 5 years.
They have the best March record in the NBA, 11-1, and are HALF a game behind Golden State for a play-in spot.
– Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 26, 2024
Jalen Green with his hands on his knees at midfield. I come now to a loud ovation.
He left everything on the ground on both sides, wanted #Rockets to this ninth consecutive victory. A record 27 points in 40 minutes, plus excellent defense
– Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 26, 2024
As if you care about the Rockets!
– MOM “🫖” (@teroyaeason) March 26, 2024
Jalen Green currently wants it #Rockets team to victory. This means a lot to his growth as a player.
– ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) March 26, 2024
With 6:44 left in the 3rd quarter, the Rockets trailed 64-58
Jalen Green hit 4 of his next 6 (2-3 from deep), had 2 steals and a block for a 22-7 near quarter to give them an 80-71 lead heading into the 4th.
He scored or assisted on 14 of 22 pts #winningmoments
-Don Dougan (@don_dougan) March 26, 2024
#Rockets EARN! 9 straight wins and now 1 game above .500 at 36-35. Jalen Green imposed his will and didn’t let the Rockets lose.
– Chris A. White 🠻 (@fyrebear) March 26, 2024
#Rockets trailed 51-47, then allowed 20 points in the 3rd quarter in its 9th straight victory.
Ime Udoka on what has changed:
“What we’ve talked about is defending at the level we’re capable of. … We can always count on that when the shots aren’t falling.”
“We can step up our defense when we need to.” pic.twitter.com/Ge8NjMcIx7
-Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) March 26, 2024
You better start caring because it’s 9 o’clock straight!!!
– Vernon Maxwell (@VernonMaxwell11) March 26, 2024
The Rockets are currently the hottest team in America!
9 consecutive victories
11-1 in MarchHouston is 0.5 games behind the Warriors for the play-in tournament. pic.twitter.com/TzdPOg4ojZ
– Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) March 26, 2024
The Houston Rockets have a winning record.
Unreal turnaround.
– Ari Alexandre (@AriA1exander) March 26, 2024
The Rockets beat the Blazers 110-92 to win their 9th straight game. They are 0.5 games behind the Warriors for the final play-in spot in the West. The Warriors are at Miami tomorrow and Orlando on Wednesday when the Rockets are at OKC
-Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 26, 2024
THE @Houston Rockets won their ninth straight victory, this time beating Portland, 110-92.
So now?
March 2024: 11-1*
March 2023: 6-11
March 2022: 5-12
March 2021: 2-13* through 12 games@KHOU
(Source: @bball_ref)
– Jason Bristol (@JBristolKHOU) March 26, 2024
In a game the Rockets must win, Jock Landale saves everyone
-Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 26, 2024
How good does Jalen Green look in the play-in race? “I watch it every day,” he said. “I was watching the Warriors last night. We pushed.”
Will Green watch the Warriors tomorrow night? “Yeah, sure. Come on.”
-Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 26, 2024
Jalen Green with some amusing directness in his quest to catch Golden State:
“I watch [the standings] every day. I was watching the Warriors last night. » pic.twitter.com/qoBNZ3nx1J
-Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) March 26, 2024
Asked about the next game against the Thunder, Jalen Green replies that #Rockets are playing a “completely different style of basketball” compared to those two losses to OKC in late February
– Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 26, 2024
Ime Udoka turns into as good a post-match interview as there is in sports. So insightful. Just captivating. He didn’t learn that from Pop. His Rockets were launched. #CoachoftheYear
– Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) March 26, 2024
Jalen Green: “I realized I had completed three dribbles, so I was just hoping at that point, but once I saw I was floating to the rim, I was like, ‘Okay , I can dunk that.” https://t.co/KTSUtyiEyp
-Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 26, 2024
Being able to say you “float to the edge” is crazy. I asked him if he thought he could take off further, but he said he wasn’t sure. https://t.co/lnK743GM6q
-Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 26, 2024
Jalen Green had a plus/minus rating of +25 tonight and has an average rating of +15.0 in March.#Rockets are 11-1 in these games.
– Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 26, 2024
After the Rockets’ 9th straight win, I asked Jalen Green if other teams should pay attention to this.
With a smirk “yeah, sure”. pic.twitter.com/GofrHadOW8
– Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) March 26, 2024
Ime Udoka said Jalen Green rebounding like he did, after a poor shooting half, is another sign of development and growth for him. pic.twitter.com/fAtgAWClyb
– ClutchesFans (@clutchfans) March 26, 2024
