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.