Takeaways: Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun magical as Rockets end skid in Orlando
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In a matchup featuring numerous high first-round picks from the 2021 and 2022 NBA draft classes, it was Rockets guard Jalen Green who stole the show with 34 efficient points as Houston snapped its six-game losing streak with a 134-127 win (box score) at Orlando.
Both the Magic and Rockets are now 2-9 on the 2022-23 regular season to date. Green connected on 12-of-18 shots (66.7%) in leading his team to Monday’s win, including 5-of-11 on 3-pointers (45.5%).
Magic rookie Paolo Banchero, drafted at No. 1 overall in 2022, had 30 points (50.0% FG and 3-pointers) and 6 rebounds while easily outdueling Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr., who was taken two picks later. Smith’s slow start to his NBA career continued with just 3 points in 22 minutes on 1-of-4 shooting (25.0%), all from 3-point range.
But beyond Smith, Houston’s prospects showed up in a big way. Second-year center Alperen Sengun had 20 points and 10 rebounds, while third-year forward KJ Martin added 21 points in 26 reserve minutes on 8-of-14 shooting (57.1%) and 4-of-8 on 3-pointers (50.0%).
Rookie forward Tari Eason added 8 points and 6 rebounds in 20 minutes, including 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (66.7%). Eason also made several key defensive plays when isolated against Banchero.
Houston had key veteran contributions, as well, led by Eric Gordon — who scored 19 points on 5-of-7 from 3-point range (71.4%).
As a team, the Rockets connected on 24-of-48 from 3-point range (50.0%), and they reaped the benefits from strong ball movement. Houston had a season-high 31 assists as a team, led by 11 from Kevin Porter Jr., 5 by Martin, and 4 apiece from Sengun and Gordon. Porter also, however, had a team-high 7 turnovers, including several in the fourth quarter as Orlando tried to rally in the final minutes.
The young guns showed out tonight in the Rocket's first road win of the game pic.twitter.com/smXECVSCRg
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 8, 2022
Orlando’s second-year backcourt of Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner, each drafted in the 2021 first round, played well in defeat. Wagner had 23 points (75% FG and 3-pointers) and 7 rebounds, while Suggs added 11 points (62.5% FG) and 6 assists. Both played 33 minutes.
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews from Orlando. Next up for Houston as the road trip continues is Wednesday night in Toronto, with tipoff set for 6:30 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
Rockets 134, Magic 127. Snaps Rockets six-game losing streak. Green with 34, most for a Rockets player this season. Porter with 11 assists, most for a Rockets player. Rockets with season high points, assists (31,) 3s (24).
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 8, 2022
Hey, it's just one game, but this is the type of teams the Rocket needs to beat this year
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 8, 2022
Clutch free throws from Jalen Green.
34 points on 12-of-18 shooting.
Big-time game.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 8, 2022
Wow, that's a heady veteran play by KJ Martin with everything on the line. Went completely vertical to contest without fouling. Kudos to the official for getting it right.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) November 8, 2022
Alperen Sengun. What a pass. Unreal. pic.twitter.com/sd5kf5q2rG
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 8, 2022
Tari Eason steals the ball from Paolo Banchero and throws down the windmill pic.twitter.com/xL2H0YRBpN
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) November 8, 2022
Rockets' bench 10/13 from 3 so far tonight:
Usman Garuba, 1/1
KJ Martin, 4/6
Tari Eason, 2/3
Garrison Mathews, 2/2
Daishen Nix 1/1.Rockets 23/44 threes overall.
Rockets lead Orlando 124-109.
4 plus minutes left in the 4th.
— Kris M Gardner (@TheHRReview) November 8, 2022
Really like using Sengun and EG as screeners out of HORNS.
Also been impressed with Jalen’s reads in the second half. His read is leading to secondary or tertiary assists on some of these drives.
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) November 8, 2022
I know it’s against the Magic but this is how you wanna see the #Rockets play. Ball movement, shots in rhythm.
— Brandon Scott (@brandonkscott) November 8, 2022
Make it 9 points off KPJ dimes with that Eason 3 https://t.co/VDoMEX19VE
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) November 8, 2022
AIR KJ TAKING OFF ✈️
JOIN: https://t.co/g2OAmTfNFv pic.twitter.com/hGAuay0pea
— RocketsWatch (@RocketsWatch) November 8, 2022
TOUGH finish from KPJ
JOIN: https://t.co/g2OAmTfNFv pic.twitter.com/nSY2Gr4r8n
— RocketsWatch (@RocketsWatch) November 8, 2022
Kenyon Martin Jr frustrating the Magic. Great night for this young Rockets teams so far #LightTheFuse
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) November 8, 2022
Jalen Green: "We was just telling ourselves we got to stay locked in. This was a desperate win that we needed." pic.twitter.com/nP87C4CqWV
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 8, 2022
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