Russell Westbrook was spry after resting Tuesday, but the rest of the Houston Rockets were far from that on Wednesday’s second night of a back-to-back, leading to a lethargic 117-107 home loss to Portland.
It’s the third loss in four games for the suddenly slumping Rockets (26-14), while the Trail Blazers (18-24) won their second straight (box score).
Westbrook had 31 points (50% shooting, 40% on 3-pointers), 12 assists, and 11 rebounds, but backcourt co-star and NBA scoring leader James Harden struggled mightily with a season-low 13 points on 3-of-12 shooting (25%). Harden played 39 minutes on night one of the split back-to-back in a loss at Memphis, and he looked worse for the wear.
Eric Gordon and Ben McLemore combined for 37 points and 11 made 3-pointers, but it wasn’t nearly enough to offset Harden’s struggles. Starting center Clint Capela had 14 points and a game-high 18 rebounds.
Defense was a big problem for Houston, with Portland’s trio of Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, and Carmelo Anthony combining for 67 points. McCollum and Anthony shot 57.1% between them, and 50% on treys.
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Though Portland led for the entire second half, Houston cut the lead to five points midway through the fourth quarter. However, Lillard blew by Harden on both occasions, leading to open corner 3-pointers for McCollum and Anthony to put the game away.
There were 7 lead changes and 6 ties in the 1st Q…NONE thereafter as the Blazers led by as many as 17 and won 117-107. The Rockets closed to within 5 late, but CJ and Melo hit back-to-back 3's and that was that. Harden with a season low 13. Russ triple-doubled (31p, 11r, 12a)
— Craig Ackerman (@ca_rockets) January 16, 2020
Head coach Mike D’Antoni was much later than usual in arriving to his postgame press conference, and he was clearly not pleased by his team’s showing in Wednesday’s nationally televised game.
Mike D’Antoni spoke to the Rockets in the locker room a bit longer than usual following their 117-107 loss to Portland, to “work some things out”
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIkoNBA) January 16, 2020
Mike D’Antoni says Rockets’ “ship is getting rocked.” He’s made some excuses but then quickly admits they’re excuses.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 16, 2020
Considering Houston’s upcoming opponents, this was not a good game to let slip away at home. Six of the Houston’s next eight games are against playoff teams in the Western Conference, beginning with a visit from the West-leading Los Angeles Lakers (33-7) on Saturday night.
Rockets stretch through the end of the month:
Home vs LAL; OKC; DEN
Then, 4-game road trip.. at MIN; DEN / UTA (back-to-back); POR. https://t.co/2LXXf7sUcC
— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) January 16, 2020
Mike D'Antoni: "A lot of guys have issues that they're fighting through…. Clint's trying to get through his foot, Eric's trying to get back in shape, PJ's got the stinger.. But that's an excuse."
Says the team is in a "rough spot". pic.twitter.com/6k3PDfpNaa
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) January 16, 2020