HOUSTON — In the opener of a four-game homestand, the Rockets blew an early 20-point lead in Friday’s 99-91 home loss (box score) to Indiana. The Pacers won for the fifth time in six games to improve to 8-6, while the Rockets fell to an NBA-worst 3-13.
Eric Gordon scored a season-high 24 points on 8-of-17 shooting (47.1%), and he also had 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Unfortunately, the veteran didn’t have much help on offense, with Jalen Green (20.0%), Jabari Smith Jr. (28.6%), and Alperen Sengun (30.8%) all struggling from the field and Kevin Porter Jr. out with a sore back.
Veteran big man Myles Turner had 17 points (62.5% FG) and 4 blocked shots for the Pacers, with his interior presence serving as a major deterrent at the rim. For the game, Houston shot 20-of-51 from inside the paint (39.2%). Frontcourt partner Jalen Smith had 10 points and a game-high 18 rebounds, along with 4 assists and 3 blocks.
It was a themed night for the Rockets, who debuted new green-and-gold Hardwood Classic uniforms to honor the franchise’s San Diego days while also retiring the No. 44 jersey of Hall of Fame center Elvin Hayes to the Toyota Center rafters at halftime. Hayes was a star player for the Rockets in both San Diego and Houston.
As for the current team, scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews. Houston’s four-game homestand continues Sunday night versus Golden State, with tipoff set for 6 p.m. Central.
Stephen Silas: “We had a bunch of paint attempts, we just didn’t make them. 20-for-51 in the paint.”
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) November 19, 2022
The Rockets scored a season low 91 points tonight and their lowest scoring game since March 23rd 2021 where they scored 91 in a loss vs the Mavs
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 19, 2022
Rockets had more turnovers (17) to assists (15) against the Pacers. Hard to win that way.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) November 19, 2022
Rockets take an ugly loss, fall to Pacers, 99-91. Led by 20 early. Lowest scoring, worst shooting (33.7 %,) worst 3-point shooting (21.4 %), fewest assists (15) game of the season.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 19, 2022
Garuba over Sengun in crunch time again
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) November 19, 2022
Some losses I can understand. The Rockets are underdogs most games but you up 20 at home and you lose because you don’t make the simple plays. The Pacers really didn’t have anything to do with the Rockets falling apart pic.twitter.com/EoI7eE2HqK
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 19, 2022
Stephen Silas: “It wasn’t like we weren’t running the right plays. It wasn’t like we weren’t getting the ball to the right spot. It wasn’t like we weren’t getting the ball to the front of the rim. We just weren’t making the shots that could carry us over over the hump.”
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) November 19, 2022
Eric Gordon: “When things aren’t going your way figure out how to get a steal or figure out ways to get a rebound. It’s just basketball. Offensively, it’s never going to go your way every day throughout the season.”
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) November 19, 2022
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