Lauri Markkanen continued his torrid 2022-23 season with a game-high 49 points, leading the Utah Jazz to a 131-114 win (box score) on Thursday night at Houston’s Toyota Center. The 7-foot-0 Finnish forward shot 15-of-27 from the field (55.6%), 6-of-15 from 3-point range (40.0%), and 13-of-13 on free throws.
The Rockets (10-29), who remain in last place in the Western Conference, have now lost six straight games and 11 of 12 overall. The Jazz (20-21) snapped a five-game losing streak and remain squarely in the mix for the West’s play-in tournament for the 2023 NBA playoffs.
Jalen Green led Houston in defeat with 30 points and 4 assists, making 10-of-11 from the free-throw line (90.9%). It was Green’s first 30-point game since a Dec. 11 victory versus Milwaukee.
Alperen Sengun added 20 points (50.0% FG) and 14 rebounds, while Kevin Porter Jr. had 23 points and 6 assists. Jae’Sean Tate returned from a multi-month absence due to a right ankle injury and scored 11 points in 19 reserve minutes, making 5-of-8 shots (62.5%) from the field.
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interview reaction. Houston concludes its brief two-game homestand on Sunday versus Minnesota, with the tip from Toyota Center at 6 p.m. Central.
Stephen Silas really pleased with Jae’Sean Tate’s defense, energy and ball handling tonight. Less pleased with the Rockets’ defense and the fact that Lauri Markkanen took 13 free throws.
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) January 6, 2023
It was 110-106 with 5:35 left the Rockets were outscored 21-6 to end the game. Rockets made 2 shots in the last 6 minutes, and Lauri Markkanen outscored the Rockets by himself 14-6 in that time frame. Another bad loss for the Rockets
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) January 6, 2023
This is the first time this season that Eric Gordon has been available for both games of a back-to-back. Stephen Silas said Gordon’s health has been improving lately and he hopes this will be the norm moving forward.
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) January 5, 2023
Jalen and Kevin shot 16/46 tonight. The #Rockets took 92 shots total.
So Kevin and Jalen took exactly half of the total shot attempts and shot less than 35%. Damn shame that this happens all too often.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) January 6, 2023
Jae’Sean Tate has such a positive impact on this #Rockets team.
Energy, playmaking, defense, high-IQ.
He does so much that doesn’t show up in the box score, like boxing out Markkanen for Jabari to get the board or telling guys what spots to be in offensively.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) January 6, 2023
This version of Lauri Markkanen is who Jabari Smith needs to be in 5-7 years
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) January 6, 2023
Another game, another loss.
Jae’Sean Tate returned and was excellent with 11/2/2/2. Sengun with a 20 point double double and it didn’t feel like he was playing well, KPJalen with volume numbers. Markkkanen dropped 50.
Was this enough to get Silas out of here?
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) January 6, 2023
Jabari Smith not closing this game is interesting
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) January 6, 2023
Jae’Sean Tate is the best midseason addition any team in the NBA will make this year
— Nathan Fogg (@NathanFogg1) January 6, 2023
Alperen Sengun on Jae’Sean Tate: “I’m so glad he’s back because he’s my like best friend on the team. He’s always helping the team, he’s giving energy like he’s a second captain of the team.”
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) January 6, 2023
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