Jalen Green and the Houston Rockets lost the war in Sunday’s 108-91 road loss (box score) to the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the No. 2 overall pick from the 2021 NBA draft may have won a battle.
In a matchup with Evan Mobley, who was selected right after Green at No. 3 in the 2021 first round, Green was outstanding with 30 points and 4 assists on 10-of-17 shooting (58.8%), including 5-of-11 on 3-pointers (45.5%). Mobley certainly held his own with 19 points (66.7% FG), 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks, but Houston’s 21-year-old certainly did enough to make his higher selection defensible.
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Ultimately, as has been the case for the 2022-23 season as a whole, the difference in the result was largely based on the supporting cast for each second-year prospect. Big man Jarrett Allen led the Cavaliers (48-28) with 24 points (72.7% FG) and 14 rebounds, while All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell added 24 points on 8-of-16 shooting (50.0%), including 4-of-9 on 3-pointers (44.4%).
Other than Green, it was a struggle for Houston (18-57), as is often been the case. Backcourt mate Kevin Porter Jr. struggled in his return to Cleveland, scoring just 6 points on 3-of-12 shooting (25.0%). Alperen Sengun had 14 points (50.0% FG) and 8 rebounds.
Outside of Green’s five 3-pointers, the rest of the Rockets shot just 1-of-14 (7.1%) from beyond the arc, combined.
Next up for Houston, as its tough road trip continues versus probable 2023 playoff teams, is Monday’s game at New York. In what will be the team’s final back-to-back of the 2022-23 season, tipoff against the Knicks is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Central. Until then, here’s a look at highlights, postgame interviews, and reaction by Houston fans and media members after Sunday’s loss in Cleveland.
Jalen Green doesn’t have nearly the help, but on a night where Evan Mobley is great for Cleveland, JG is doing something similar for Houston
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 26, 2023
Rockets entered Sunday’s game averaging 61 points in the paint on 53.6 shots with 23.7 free throw attempts, but against the Cavs they scored just 44 points in the paint on 39 shots and attempted just 17 free throws
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 27, 2023
Jalen Green with 30, more than a third of the Rockets points. It’s the 22nd 30 point game of his career, his 14th this season.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 27, 2023
If Jalen would have struggled it would have been brutal on here, thankfully he had one of this better offensive games of the season on their home floor
— Abel (@AbelGe87) March 27, 2023
I’m not sure if Jalen Green will ever be an engine that carries a team to the playoffs, but he absolutely can be the best player in a playoff series and hit all the big shots a team needs to win a chip. I think he’ll be a very good big game performer.
— Rob Kimbell (@RobKSports) March 27, 2023
2nd year players with the most 30 point games having a 70 TS% or above:
1. Kareem Abdul Jabaar — 17
2. Shaquille O’Neal — 14
3. Zion Williamson — 13
4. Karl Anthony Towns — 12
5. JALEN GREEN — 11 ???????????? pic.twitter.com/FDPJJ4rEtE— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) March 27, 2023
Coach Silas was asked what would be possible if Jalen Green had shooters around him to space the floor.
“With more room, he’d be able to do some more stuff. But he’s figuring out under really tough circumstances so when it becomes easier…sky’s the limit.” ???? pic.twitter.com/4On8YRcizz
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@Vator_H_Town) March 27, 2023
Another 30 bomb from Jalen Green.
Haters gonna say, but he doesn’t win.
Imagine a world where he played on a team with an All-Star point guard and two All-Stars in the front court. That’s basically what the other guy has. pic.twitter.com/ZMMav6El88
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@Vator_H_Town) March 27, 2023
Jalen Green has hit as many 3 pointers in the first 3 quarters of this game as Evan Mobley has in the last month.
— Nathan Fogg (@NathanFogg1) March 26, 2023
The inefficient shotchucking Jalen Green has an eFG of 65% an a TS% of 69% in all 14 of his 30 point games this season
— Nathan Fogg (@NathanFogg1) March 27, 2023
Rockets only being able to score in the paint is not a good matchup against Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley
— Rob Kimbell (@RobKSports) March 26, 2023
Jalen Green’s last 3 games, all on the road vs very good defensive teams:
25.0 ppg
65.2 TS%
52.0% fg’s (26-50)
40.0% three pt fg’s (8-20)
60.0% two pt fg’s (18-30)
88.2% ft’s (15-17)
2.0 rebs
4.0 asts (12 total)
2 TOs TOTAL in 102 min played
0.7 stl#Rockets https://t.co/KMqejY6ACp— Don Dougan (@don_dougan) March 27, 2023
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