Jalen Green had an outstanding second half, scoring 30 of his 34 points and grabbing nine rebounds to lead the Houston Rockets to a narrow 101-100 victory over the Utah Jazz on Friday night, marking their 11th consecutive win.
Fred VanVleet contributed with 22 points, while Amen Thompson added 18 points and 14 rebounds, and Jabari Smith Jr. finished with 14 points for the Rockets. They capitalized on 21 turnovers by the Jazz, scoring 27 points from them and outscoring them 25-12 in second-chance points.
Despite a slow start and shooting at 38.5% from the field, the Rockets didn’t lose hope. Coach Ime Udoka emphasized the importance of perseverance, especially when shots aren’t falling early in the game.
John Collins led the scoring for Utah with 30 points and 11 rebounds, with Collin Sexton contributing 29 points. However, the Jazz couldn’t break their losing streak, succumbing to several careless possessions during crucial moments.
The Rockets took control of the game in the third quarter, with Green spearheading a scoring surge. He scored 20 points in the quarter, helping his team regain the lead after trailing in the first half.
Although Utah mounted a comeback, Houston held on to the lead with crucial plays from Green and VanVleet down the stretch. Green’s free throws in the final seconds sealed the victory for the Rockets.
Green’s stellar performance adds to his impressive streak of scoring 30 or more points in five of the last eight games, showcasing his importance to the team’s success.
Despite a challenging start, Houston managed to stay competitive throughout the game, with both teams displaying strong determination until the final buzzer.
