The losing streak for the young and rebuilding Rockets is now at seven games after Wednesday’s 121-114 loss (box score) in Brooklyn wrapped up an 0-5 road trip. But unlike the three previous outings, which were mostly uncompetitive, Houston (18-59) led the Nets (41-35) by as many as nine points in the fourth quarter before an 18-4 run in the final three minutes turned the game upside down.
Yet again, the difference was in 3-point shooting. Led by 31 points and five 3-pointers from Cameron Johnson, the Nets shot 17-of-35 (48.6%) from behind the 3-point arc. Meanwhile, Houston was just 9-of-30 from deep (30%). That math proved difficult to overcome, even on a night where the Rockets had a 60-47 rebounding edge.
Alperen Sengun (21 points, 12 rebounds, 62.5% FG) and Jabari Smith Jr. (12 points, 12 rebounds) both had double-doubles as Houston flexed its interior muscle, while Kevin Porter Jr. had 31 points on 11-of-22 shooting (50%) and 4-of-10 on 3-pointers (40%). Porter also grabbed 9 rebounds and had a team-high 6 assists and 3 steals.
But the Rockets couldn’t withstand an unusually rough game by backcourt mate Jalen Green, who had 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting (38.5%) while missing all four of his 3-pointers.
KJ Martin added 15 points and 7 rebounds while hitting 3-of-5 from 3-point range (60%), while Josh Christopher had 14 points and 4 assists in just 17 bench minutes, making 6-of-10 shots (60%).
Scroll on for highlights, postgame interviews, and reaction by Houston fans and media members. With the road trip complete, next up for the Rockets is three straight games in the friendly confines of Toyota Center, representing their final homestand of the 2022-23 season. Tipoff of Friday’s opener versus Detroit is at 7 p.m. Central.