Tag: Eric Gordon

Takeaways: Josh Christopher fighting way back into Rockets’ rotation

Fred VanVleet led Toronto to a road win, but #Rockets reserve Josh Christopher made his case for more playing time with a season-high 15 points (87.5% FG) in 19 minutes.

Fred VanVleet and the Raptors shook off a slow start and an early 13-point deficit in rallying to Friday’s comfortable road victory over the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center, 117-111 (box score).

VanVleet led the Raptors (24-30) with a game-high 32 points on Friday, including 10-of-22 from the field (45.5%) and 5-of-11 on 3-pointers (45.5%). Toronto hit 15-of-39 from 3-point range (38.5%) as a team, which gave them a significant math advantage versus the Rockets, who shot just 7-of-21 (33.3%) from distance.

Key statistics for the Rockets (13-39) included:

  • Eric Gordon: Season-high 28 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds; 10-of-15 shooting (66.7%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%)
  • KJ Martin: 20 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists; 8-of-9 shooting (88.9%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers
  • Josh Christopher: Season-high 15 points, 2 steals in 19 minutes; 7-of-8 shooting (87.5%)
  • Alperen Sengun: 21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals; 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%), 9-of-12 on free throws (75.0%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists; 4-of-9 shooting (44.4%), 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (66.7%)

For Christopher, who had scored 11 points in each of Houston’s previous two games (both wins), it was his third consecutive outing with a season-high scoring total off the bench. As for Gordon, a 34-year-old veteran, he’s continuing a strong run of form leading up to next Thursday’s trade deadline — when he could be a desired target for playoff contenders elsewhere around the league.

Kevin Porter Jr. (left foot contusion) and Jalen Green (right calf contusion) each had their multi-game injury absences continue, though Green could return Saturday in Oklahoma City. Their absences have left a vacancy that Christopher, a first-round pick from the 2021 NBA draft, has successfully filled after being out of the rotation used by head coach Stephen Silas for most of this season.

Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interview reaction. Next up for Houston is the second half of its back-to-back on Saturday in Oklahoma City. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Central.

Raptors at Rockets: Friday’s lineups, injury reports, broadcast and stream info

With two consecutive wins and three in five games, Eric Gordon and the #Rockets are looking to keep their momentum going when they host Toronto on Friday night.

Less than two weeks ago, the young and rebuilding Houston Rockets owned a 13-game losing streak, which remains the worst by any NBA team during the 2022-23 regular season to date.

Today, those same Rockets are somehow on a two-game winning streak and could stand a reasonable chance of making it three consecutive wins and four out of their last six, overall, when they host the struggling Toronto Raptors at Toyota Center on Friday night.

One complicating factor for the Rockets is availability. The usual starting backcourt of Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green remains out. With another game on Saturday in Oklahoma City, key veterans will each miss half the back-to-back for maintenance purposes.

On Friday, Jae’Sean Tate is out, which means Eric Gordon will rest versus the Thunder a night later. Gordon will be available versus the Raptors, and he’s been a difference maker of late.

Other than OG Anunoby, the Raptors are mostly healthy among key players, and they should have ample incentive to win. After all, they’re only 1.5 games behind Indiana for the final spot of the Eastern Conference’s play-in tournament to qualify for the 2023 playoffs.

On the other hand, with a loss to a team like Houston, perhaps Toronto could be incentivized to further consider major transactions by next Thursday’s in-season trade deadline (Feb. 9).

Ranking the 20 most interesting NBA players who could get traded and where each may go

A look at the players who could be dealt by Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.

The NBA trade deadline is one week from Thursday, and while it might seem quieter than normal, there could still be a lot of activity.

Even if there isn’t a looming blockbuster move like when the Nets and Sixers swapped James Harden and Ben Simmons last season, there are teams around the league that could have an entirely different roster before the beginning of the All-Star break.

While there are some obvious sellers (e.g. Pistons, Hornets, Spurs, Rockets), others (e.g. Raptors, Pacers, Jazz) have slightly less clear intentions.

Based on the latest rumors and intel provided by insiders around the NBA, these are the players considered most likely to get traded — and where each player is rumored to go.

But remember: The trade deadline is always full of surprises. No one in the league predicted the Kings would have traded Tyrese Haliburton last season! So in addition to these players, expect the unexpected.

Eric Gordon leads Rockets to another win, perhaps builds trade value

The #Rockets have won two straight games and three of their last five, and one of the biggest reasons is Eric Gordon’s resurgence. Could that help his trade market?

With a 13-38 record, the young Houston Rockets are still near the bottom of the NBA in the 2022-23 season. But relative to the start of last week, when they were on a league-worst losing streak of 13 games, there are signs of optimism.

After Wednesday’s 112-106 win (box score) over Oklahoma City, the Rockets have now won three of their last five games, including two in a row. One of the biggest reasons is veteran guard Eric Gordon, who tallied a game-high 25 points versus the Thunder on 8-of-17 shooting (47.1%), including 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%).

Over his last two games (both wins), the 34-year-old is averaging 24.5 points (47.1% FG), 5 assists and 2 steals in 34 minutes per game. Gordon has taken on a larger role in the absence of injured starters Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green, and he has taken full advantage.

At 34, Gordon isn’t in age alignment with the rest of the young and rebuilding Rockets. But with the Thursday, Feb. 9 trade deadline for the 2022-23 regular season one week away, perhaps the strong showing in recent days can help build a market for Gordon among contenders as general manager Rafael Stone considers his options.

Gordon, who recently began playing both ends of back-to-backs, has a chance to continue his momentum and perhaps showcase his improved durability when the Rockets return to action on Friday and Saturday nights. The opener of the back-to-back is at home versus Toronto, while the second game is a rematch with the Thunder.

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Moving forward: Short-handed Rockets defeat Pistons behind KJ Martin, Tari Eason

“All I needed was time and opportunity to showcase what I could do,” Tari Eason said. “Tonight showed that a lot of guys in here are going to keep fighting.” #Rockets

The Houston Rockets faced a mountain of adversity as they stepped inside the Little Caesars Arena to play the Detroit Pistons.

They knew for a while they would be without head coach Stephen Silas due to his attendance at a memorial service for his father, Paul Silas, who passed away approximately six weeks ago. It was also clear the Rockets would be without starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr., who suffered a foot injury earlier this month.

They were not, however, expecting to take the court without their two leading scorers, Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, however. Both were ruled out before the game, with Green suffering from a right calf contusion and Sengun sidelined by a non-COVID illness.

Down three starters and a coach would make even the NBA’s best teams wonder if they could win under those circumstances. Yet, the young Rockets, led by Eric Gordon’s season-high 24 points, rallied late in the fourth quarter to defeat Detroit, 117-114 (box score).

“Ninety-five percent of it was about effort and hustle,” said John Lucas II, who filled the head coach’s role in Silas’ absence.

Lucas could have been talking about the ferocity that Gordon played with, or the tenacity shown by Jabari Smith Jr., Jae’Sean Tate, Josh Christopher and Usman Garuba throughout the game. In the back of his mind, though, all he could see was the consistent play displayed by young forwards KJ Martin and Tari Eason.

Eason’s strong early play helped the Rockets overcome some rough spots on Saturday. His 10 first-half points and 7 rebounds helped Houston take a 59-57 lead into halftime after trailing most of the way.

Eason finished with the third double-double of his career, collecting 16 points and 10 rebounds in Detroit. Eason has now scored 10-plus points in four of the last five games he has played.

“I know basketball is a game of runs,” Eason said postgame after defeating the Pistons. “All I needed was time and opportunity just to showcase what I could do. You can go one of two ways. You can give up or you can keep fighting. Tonight showed that a lot of guys in here, including myself, are going to keep fighting.”

“Keep fighting” also appeared to be the mantra that teammate Martin had stuck in his mind against the Pistons.

Starting his ninth straight game, Martin’s late-game heroics — along with 15 points and 13 rebounds — helped Houston (12-36) secure its second win in four games after a brutal 13-game losing streak.

For Martin, it was his second double-double in Houston’s last three games. During those nine starts, he is averaging 13.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 70.2% from the field.

With Houston trailing Detroit, 112-109, with 38.5 seconds left to play, Lucas seemingly called the perfect play for Martin. Knowing most of the focus would be on Gordon with the ball in his hands, Martin faked a screen and slipped to the basket, where Gordon hit him in stride. He was fouled at the rim as the shot fell.

Martin missed the free throw, but Tate retrieved the missed shot. After his shot attempt failed, Martin followed the ball for an easy putback, giving the Rockets a 113-112 lead.

“I felt like once we got stops and our offense got going, the game opened up,” Martin said in his on-court interview postgame.

Houston will now have three days off before taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night at Toyota Center.

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Takeaways: Anthony Edwards blasts Jalen Green, Rockets lose 13th straight

Anthony Edwards scored 44 points and severely outplayed Jalen Green as the #Rockets extended their losing streak to an NBA-worst 13 games on Saturday in Minnesota.

The NBA’s longest losing streak of the 2022-23 season is now at 13 games after Houston’s 113-104 loss (box score) on Saturday night at Minnesota. The young and rebuilding Rockets (10-36) have now lost 18 of their last 19 games, dating back to early December.

Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves (24-24) with 44 points on 17-of-29 shooting (58.6%), and 8-of-16 on 3-pointers (50.0%). That was more than enough on a night where his counterpart, Houston’s Jalen Green, had 10 points and 6 turnovers on 3-of-13 shooting (23.1%).

Rookie forward Tari Eason made his first start and played well for the Rockets, who were without a pair of starters in Kevin Porter Jr. (left foot soreness) and Jabari Smith Jr. (right ankle sprain).

Alperen Sengun led the way in scoring and rebounding, but it wasn’t enough to win. Key offensive statistics for Houston included:

  • Sengun: 19 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks; 7-of-9 shooting (77.8%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers
  • Tari Eason: 14 points, 9 rebounds, 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
  • Eric Gordon: 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 7-of-12 shooting (58.3%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%)
  • KJ Martin: 10 points, 8 rebounds, 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%), 0-of-3 on 3-pointers

Scroll on for Saturday’s highlights, analysis and postgame interview reaction from Target Center. In the second of two straight games between the clubs, Minnesota pays a return visit to Houston on Monday night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Central from Toyota Center.

Report: Bucks open to trading four second-round draft picks to Rockets for Eric Gordon

Per @TheSteinLine, Milwaukee is open to trading four second-round draft picks for Eric Gordon. #Rockets general manager Rafael Stone, however, is still seeking a first-round pick.

Veteran guard Eric Gordon isn’t in age alignment with the young and rebuilding Houston Rockets, and the 34-year-old is in the last guaranteed year of his current contract. Thus, as this season’s Feb. 9 trade deadline approaches, he’s likely to be sought by contending teams as they gear up for a push in the 2023 playoffs.

One such team could be the Milwaukee Bucks, who have a number of mid-sized salaries (Grayson Allen, Joe Ingles, George Hill and Serge Ibaka among them) that could be used to meet the NBA’s salary matching rules for teams above the salary cap.

From Houston’s perspective, the incentive for a rebuilding team to trade Gordon is draft compensation. According to a report Saturday by veteran NBA scribe Marc Stein, the Bucks have offered four second-round picks for Gordon. Houston, however, has yet to act on that offer and reportedly is seeking a first-round pick.

It’s not uncommon for teams who are seeking a first-round pick for a veteran to eventually relent and accept a package based around second-round assets, if they are otherwise at risk of getting nothing. That could especially be the case for the Rockets, since Gordon could become a free agent in the 2023 offseason, depending on what the team chooses to do with what is effectively a 2023-24 team option.

But with this particular offer, the devil is in the details. Of the five second-round picks the Bucks have available to trade, two are their own picks in 2023 and 2024, and a third is the least favorable of Cleveland and Golden State in 2023. Those are all likely playoff teams, which means those second-round picks should be late in the order.

For perspective, picks in that range are often traded for cash each draft cycle, meaning a team can acquire one without giving up a basketball asset. That’s how Houston acquired the No. 52 pick in the 2020 second round, which became KJ Martin. Furthermore, there’s a chance the player a team might target with a late second-round pick could become available as an undrafted free agent, anyway.

With second-round picks, quality typically trumps quantity. One pick high in the order is more valuable than several late ones. Thus, while Milwaukee’s proposal might sound good at first, a deeper look suggests it may not be too tempting to general manager Rafael Stone.

The bottom line is that while Houston eventually settling for a second-round Gordon package wouldn’t be a shock, expect Stone to try and angle for a pick that is higher in the order, in that scenario.

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Report: Rockets could keep Eric Gordon to help lure James Harden in free agency

In his latest podcast, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon calls James Harden to Houston a “significant” possibility, and keeping Eric Gordon could be part of that plan. #Rockets

In his latest Howdy Partners podcast, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon refers to James Harden returning to Houston as a significant possibility in 2023 free agency, and keeping Eric Gordon beyond the NBA’s Feb. 9 trade deadline for the 2022-23 season could be part of that plan.

“Some people I’ve talked to in Houston say there’s an understanding that James Harden really enjoys playing with Eric Gordon,” MacMahon said, as relayed by Dave Hardisty of ClutchFans.

At face value, the 34-year-old Gordon seems a trade candidate for the rebuilding Rockets, who own the NBA’s worst record.

Gordon isn’t in age alignment with Houston’s young core, and since he’s in the final fully guaranteed season of his contract, trading him could accomplish a mutually beneficial goal. It could free Gordon to play for a title contender this season, and it would allow the Rockets to avoid any risk of him leaving for no compensation this offseason — should they need to let go of his contract to maximize their salary cap room (up to $60 million) for 2023 free agency.

But, what if Gordon’s presence is viewed as a positive for a rumored pursuit of a reunion with Harden (who is also 34 years old)? The duo played together from the 2016-17 season until Harden’s departure from the Rockets in January 2021. Their connections — both on and off the court — appeared strong over that time.

While Harden isn’t quite the perennial MVP candidate he was during his prime Houston years, he’s clearly still All-Star caliber and remains one of the league’s elite playmakers and offensive creators.

A potential free agent in July, Harden is averaging 21.7 points (44.5% FG, 38.2% on 3-pointers), 11.1 assists and 6.3 rebounds in 37 minutes per game with the Philadelphia 76ers this season.

On paper, Harden’s profile and age might not seem to fit with a young squad like the Rockets. But Houston is incentivized to turn its fortunes around quickly after this season, since it no longer has control of its first-round draft assets in the 2024-2026 window (Oklahoma City does). That’s not typically the case for most rebuilding teams of Houston’s ilk.

In theory, Houston could trade Gordon at the deadline to recoup some value and then potentially attempt to sign him back in the 2023 offseason, along with Harden. However, that plan would only work if Gordon’s new team declines his $20.9-million team option for the 2023-24 campaign. Thus, for the Rockets, keeping Gordon is the only certain way to have him as an option to pair with Harden.

Stay tuned! MacMahon’s complete podcast can be viewed below.

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Alperen Sengun scores career-high 33 points as Rockets lose 11th straight to LeBron James, Lakers

Alperen Sengun had a monster game in Los Angeles with 33 points and 15 rebounds, but the #Rockets are now tied for the NBA’s longest losing streak this season (11).

With 11 straight losses and 16 in their last 17 games, overall, the young Houston Rockets are now tied for the NBA’s longest losing streak of the 2022-23 season after Monday’s 140-132 road setback (box score) against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Perennial All-Star forward and future Hall of Famer LeBron James led the Lakers (20-24) with a season-high 48 points on 16-of-26 shooting (61.5%), including 5-of-10 on 3-pointers (50%) and 11-of-12 on free throws (91.7%). James also had 9 assists and 7 rebounds.

But the Rockets (10-34) weren’t devoid of bright spots, starting with a career scoring night for second-year center Alperen Sengun.

Key offensive statistics for the Rockets, who collectively allowed a season-high point total for the 2022-23 year, included:

  • Alperen Sengun: Career-high 33 points, 14-of-17 shooting (82.4%), 2-of-2 on 3-pointers; 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 blocks in 37 minutes
  • Jalen Green: 23 points, 7-of-20 shooting (35%), 3-of-10 on 3-pointers (30%), 6-of-8 on free throws (75%); 5 rebounds, 3 assists in 39 minutes
  • KJ Martin: 17 points, 7-of-14 shooting (50%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40%); 6 rebounds, 2 blocks in 30 minutes
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 14 points, 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%); 4 rebounds, 4 assists in 28 minutes
  • Eric Gordon: 19 points, 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%), 9-of-11 on free throws (81.8%); season-high 8 assists in 32 minutes
  • Tari Eason: 9 points, 4-of-6 shooting (66.7%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers; 7 rebounds in 20 minutes

Starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. missed his third straight game with a left foot contusion, which he suffered last week in Sacramento.

Scroll on for Monday’s highlights, analysis, and postgame interview reaction from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. With its four-game California road trip in the books, Houston returns to action on Wednesday for a home game versus Charlotte. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: Losing streak reaches 10 as Clippers rally past Eric Gordon, Rockets

Eric Gordon tied his season-high in points and KJ Martin was a dunking machine versus the Clippers, but Houston’s losing streak lives on after another second-half collapse.

With a very short-handed roster, the young Houston Rockets (10-33) had  their losing streak hit a season-high 10 games in Sunday’s 121-100 road loss (box score) to the Los Angeles Clippers (23-22). The visitors have lost 15 of their last 16 games, overall.

Jalen Green and Jae’Sean Tate did not play in Sunday’s game due to the NBA’s announcement of a one-game suspension related to their role in an on-court altercation Friday night in Sacramento. Kevin Porter Jr. missed a second straight game with a left foot contusion.

As with many recent games, Houston was competitive until bench minutes late in the third quarter and early in the fourth, which is when the Clippers pulled away. Los Angeles was led by Kawhi Leonard and Terance Mann, who each broke 30 points in combining for 61 points on 24-of-40 shooting (60.0%) and 8-of-13 on 3-pointers (61.5%). Both players had 6 rebounds and 4 assists apiece, as well.

The Clippers outscored Houston, 30-10, in a decisive fourth quarter. Key statistics for the Rockets in Sunday’s game included:

  • Eric Gordon: Season-high 24 points, 8-of-16 shooting (50%), 7-of-8 free throws (87.5%) in 30 minutes
  • KJ Martin: 22 points, 9-of-14 shooting (64.3%), 9 rebounds in 33 minutes
  • Alperen Sengun: 15 points, 7-of-12 shooting (58.3%), 1-of-1 from 3-point range, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 turnovers in 30 minutes
  • Tari Eason: 11 points, 5-of-6 shooting (83.3%), 4 rebounds, 3 steals in 20 minutes

Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interview reaction from Crypto.com Arena. Next up for Houston, as its four-game West Coast road trip concludes, is Monday’s second game of a Los Angeles back-to-back versus the Lakers. Tipoff is at 9:30 p.m. Central.