HOUSTON — The losing streak for the Rockets (13-48) is now at 10 games after Tuesday’s 133-112 loss (box score) at Toyota Center. Led by 32 points from Jamal Murray, the victorious Denver Nuggets continue to own the Western Conference’s best record (44-19).
Murray, who was questionable to play pregame with a sore back, connected on 12-of-18 shots (66.7%) and 5-of-10 from 3-point range (50.0%). Following a historic 71-point outburst by Portland’s Damian Lillard on Sunday, it was the second straight game that Houston was torched by an opposing guard who shredded its defense.
Yet, when accounting for the superior competition, there were at least some positives for the young and rebuilding Rockets. For starters, they had Jalen Green successfully return from a groin injury, and Houston also expects to get injured backcourt mate Kevin Porter Jr. back in its lineup Wednesday versus Memphis.
While on a minutes limitation, Green was impressive with 17 points and 5 assists versus the Nuggets in 19 minutes, shooting 7-of-15 from the field (46.7%) and 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%).
Other key statistics for the Rockets included:
- Tari Eason: 17 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists; 7-of-10 shooting (70.0%)
- Daishen Nix: 14 points, 5 assists; 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
- KJ Martin: 15 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals; 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%)
- TyTy Washington: 12 points, 5 assists; 5-of-10 shooting (50.0%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%)
- Josh Christopher: 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists; 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%), 1-of-3 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews. Next up for the Rockets is part two of a tough back-to-back when Memphis visits Houston on Wednesday night. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central.
It’s another #Rockets loss but rookie Tari Eason put up 17 & 12 on 7-of-10 shooting off the bench. Daishen Nix also had 14 on 6-of-10 shooting. Hope he’s gaining confidence, Lord knows we’ve been tearing him down all season.
— B.Scott (@brandonkscott) March 1, 2023
Boban with a bucket and then a dunk, and the Toyota center crowd finally has something to get them cheering. Either that, or because Rockets up to a season-high 32 assists. Probably the Boban buckets.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 1, 2023
Boban with a slam and this is legitimately one of the loudest moments of the season at the Toyota Center.
Not a great sign, but we’ll take it…
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) March 1, 2023
With a 24-point lead, Jamal Murray (with a sore back) hustling back to contest Christopher on a fourth-quarter runout — even though the #Rockets had two other guys rushing in to clean it up — is one of those culture things that elite teams do.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 1, 2023
… and now draws the offensive foul from Jokic.
Stood his ground and forced Jokic to use his off arm to shove Sengun away. https://t.co/n5YF56n62j
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) March 1, 2023
Pretty laughable stat line tonight for Nikola Jokic:
14 PTS
10 AST
10 REB
7-11 FG
+29 in 26 minutesSomehow achieved a quiet triple-double. Nuggets lead 95-73, late 3rd quarter.
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) March 1, 2023
Jalen Green with a couple 3s, a mid-range jumper and a drive to a dunk, has scored 10 points in the first 6:17 of the half. But that also means it is time to sit with the Rockets limiting his minutes.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 1, 2023
It does. I think it’s something Lucas had wanted to do with Jalen for a while, even before the injury. It’s just tough to do on the fly during a season because there’s limited practice time, and it’s easy to revert back to old habits during a game. https://t.co/8ihSjiTJou
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 1, 2023
Really great to see Jalen back and in a solid rhythm, really looking forward to getting Kevin back out there to help with the scoring and facilitating which has been sorely missed
— Abel (@AbelGe87) March 1, 2023
Coach Stephen Silas seems to indicate that Kevin Porter Jr. will be returning for tomorrow’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
“Hopefully tomorrow we’ll have the whole group. For the first time in a long time.” pic.twitter.com/RuRweyd5EA
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@Vator_H_Town) March 1, 2023
Stephen Silas on how to adjust when the starters aren’t defending well: “Take them out.”
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) March 1, 2023
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