One night after a much stronger-than-expected performance in Phoenix, the young and road-weary Houston Rockets weren’t able to replicate that showing in Thursday’s 142-111 loss (box score) at Los Angeles. Luke Kennard scored 25 points off the bench and hit a stunning 8-of-9 from 3-point range (88.9%), which fueled an ambush by the Clippers.
The Clippers (30-31) enter the All-Star break at the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference standings and in position for a home game in the play-in tournament for the playoffs. The rebuilding Rockets (15-43), who were on night two of a back-to-back and a third road game in four nights, enter with seven straight losses and the West’s worst record.
Rookie guard Jalen Green continued his run of strong efficiency in February, scoring a team-high 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting (53.3%), including 5-of-10 on 3-pointers (50.0%). Second-year forward Jae’Sean Tate, who joins Green at Friday’s Rising Stars tournament for the NBA’s All-Star Weekend, added 19 points (70% FG) and 4 assists for Houston.
But they did not have nearly enough help or cumulative defense on a night when Clippers shot over 50% from the field and on 3-pointers.
Miserable night for the #Rockets
One positive is Jalen Green continues to play well. His last 8 gms he's averaging 16.5 ppg on 46.4% overall shooting w/solid defense.
He's shot 52.2% on 2 pt shots & 41.2% on 3 pt shots. Has also only averaged 1.8 turnovers.
— Don Dougan (@don_dougan) February 18, 2022
Christian Wood returned to his usual spot as Houston’s starting center after a one-game illness absence and had 13 points (50.0% FG), 7 rebounds, and 2 steals in 25 minutes. He did not play in the fourth quarter due to the blowout. Kevin Porter Jr. missed a second straight game with his own illness, while veteran guard Eric Gordon sat out night two of a back-to-back for planned maintenance, as he has for most of this season.
Dennis Schroder (9 points, 9 assists) again started in place of Porter at point guard, while Garrison Mathews (8 points, 4 rebounds) took the starting wing spot that typically belongs to Gordon.
