Kevin Porter Jr. continued his strong run of form as the Houston Rockets (19-59) ended a seven-game losing streak with Friday’s 121-115 victory (box score) over Detroit (16-61). The game kicked off this season’s final homestand of three games at Toyota Center.
Porter scored a game-high 33 points on 12-of-20 shooting (60.0%), including a blistering 7-of-13 mark from 3-point range (53.8%). Meanwhile, backcourt mate Jalen Green added 32 points and 5 assists on 10-of-18 shooting (55.6%) and 2-of-5 from 3-point range (40.0%).
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Frontcourt starters Alperen Sengun (15 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists) and Jabari Smith Jr. (13 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks) each had simultaneous double-doubles for a second straight game.
In Friday’s narrow defeat, the Pistons were led by rookie guard Jaden Ivey, who had 18 points and a game-high 9 assists. However, he was less efficient than Houston’s young backcourt, shooting just 8-of-20 overall (40.0%) and 2-of-9 from 3-point range (22.2%).
Scroll on for highlights, postgame interviews with players and head coach Stephen Silas, and reaction from Houston fans and media members. The Rockets will continue their homestand Sunday versus the Los Angeles Lakers, with tipoff set for 6:00 p.m. Central.
Asked Silas about Jalen & KPJ first time both scoring 30+ this season:
“Mahmoud’s been telling me to put that pick and roll in for a month. And Rick Higgins was like ‘put it in’ so I put it in and they went. Playing off each other, getting downhill. Attacking and making reads.”
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) April 1, 2023
Rockets lived at the line tonight and it’s a significant reason why they’re up right now, a 36-19 edge over Det
— Abel (@AbelGe87) April 1, 2023
The Rockets in all likelihood will finish 3rd since they have 4 games remaining and SA has five which they’re most likely to drop, beating them both games in that 2 game series was also a huge reason why it will play out that way
— Abel (@AbelGe87) April 1, 2023
#Rockets beat Pistons late, which ties them with the Spurs in the win column for the #2/#3 spot in the lottery. 7th pick of the draft is now possible.
Finishing with the worst record for the 3rd straight year isn’t going to happen. With 4 games left, Detroit has a 3-game edge.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) April 1, 2023
First time this season Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. have both scored 30+ in the same game.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) April 1, 2023
Rockets 121, Pistons 115. Rockets snap seven-game losing streak. Porter with 33, Green 32. Porter adds four steals, Green five assists.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) April 1, 2023
#Rockets going with Wiper here in the final minutes. Jalen Green as the ball-handler at the top of the key. Kevin Porter Jr. looking to create a favorable switch by ‘wiping’ the defender away for Jalen to attack.
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) April 1, 2023
Season-high 7 3s and 33 points for KPJ.Anyone who said to cut KPJ needs to reevaluate how they watch basketball. Will KPJ ultimately end up as a sixth man? Sure its a possibility I won’t argue with anyone on that but no way you just cut him for nothing. Too much talent.
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) April 1, 2023
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