Blazers hope to feel more regular
The Rockets don’t know quite who they will play Monday as the Trail Blazers juggle so many injuries. But as the Rockets seek to extend their winning streak to nine games before heading out on the road, there is a good chance the Blazers will get at least some of their players back.
The Trail Blazers were so shorthanded Saturday they started five rookies: Kris Murray, Toumani Camara, Duop Reath, Rayan Rupert and Scoot Henderson.
They could have more of their regulars available Monday. Center Deandre Ayton, guard Anfernee Simons and guard/forward Matisse Thybulle are listed as questionable.
Forward Jerami Grant, who like Ayton missed the previous meeting, is doubtful. Shaedon Sharpe and Malcolm Brogdon are still out. But the Rockets could still see a more complete version of the Blazers than the Nuggets saw Saturday in Portland or than the Rockets faced this month.
The Trail Blazers won two of their next three games after the 123-107 loss to the Rockets but bring a six-game losing streak into Monday’s game to start a seven-game road trip.
The Rockets should know they can slip up against the Blazers. They lost the previous meeting in Toyota Center, 137-131 in overtime. But in that game, Grant forced overtime with a 3-pointer at the buzzer off a pass from Brogdon. The Rockets likely will see neither this time as they and the Blazers have gone in opposite directions since the injuries hit.
Keeping it 125
The Rockets scored at least 125 points in all three games last week, their longest streak of 125-point games since the 1979-80 season. Their 147 points against the Jazz were their most in a game since the 2019-20 season.
The recent scoring upturn, however, began before it took off last week.
The Rockets have averaged 122.6 points in March, including the 123 they scored in Portland, the second most any team has averaged in the NBA this month.
Ranking 24th in offensive rating going into March, they have had the second-ranked offense in the 11 games since, making the most shots per game (45.7) while pushing the pace but committing the third fewest turnovers (11 per game).
The Rockets’ 27 3-pointers Saturday were the second most in franchise history, fourth most in NBA history and most in the NBA this season. Ranking 28th in 3-point percentage going into March after making 34.7% (just one-tenth of a percent better than last place) through the first 59 games of the season, they have been seventh, making 38.9%, in the 11 games since.
What about defense?
While the Rockets’ offense has taken off, the Rockets have been up and down defensively.
They have been solid, ranking 11th defensively in the eight-game winning streak, and sixth in opposing field goal percentage and 3-point percentage. But the Rockets have had trouble in stretches of both games against the Trail Blazers.
The Trail Blazers rank 28th offensively, averaging 108.9 points per 100 possessions, but have ranked in a tie for sixth best in games against the Rockets, scoring 120.8 points per 100 possessions in those two games.
On guards
While Jalen Green’s scoring surge — his first run of five consecutive games scoring at least 25 points since late in his rookie season — has grabbed much of the attention, Fred VanVleet is on a bit of a roll himself.
His 10 3-pointers Saturday tied the Rockets’ franchise record, scoring a season-high 34 points. Though he had just 29 points in the previous three games combined, he has made 46% of his 3s in the Rockets’ eight-game winning streak, averaging 18.9 points and 10.1 assists.
That includes the game in Portland when he had 18 points with 10 assists and no turnovers.
Green could be in line for a second consecutive Player of the Week award. He averaged a league-high (going into Sunday’s games) 36.3 points on 56.9% shooting and 50% 3-point shooting in last week’s games. The Rockets have outscored opponents by an average of 14.3 points per game with Green on the floor in their eight-game winning streak.
Next man up — again
Jabari Smith Jr. had filled in at center, moving over from his starting power forward spot since Alperen Şengün was hurt.
The Rockets now need reserves to fill in for Smith.
Smith’s confrontation with Jazz guard Kris Dunn earned him a onegame suspension with the NBA ruling that he threw a punch, leading to an automatic suspension.
Smith had averaged 14.6 points in the 14 games prior to Saturday when he made 2 of 3 shots with two rebounds and two assists in nine minutes before he was ejected.
With Smith out, Jeff Green started the second half on Saturday, scoring a season-high 21 points. He started in the first meeting when Smith was out with a sprained ankle but scored just four points, and he did not play at all in Portland.
Jock Landale was limited by foul trouble Saturday but has averaged 9.6 points on 63.8% shooting in the Rockets’ winning streak.
Turnover turnaround
The Trail Blazers give up the third most points off turnovers in the league and have allowed the second most (22.5) in games against the Rockets.
The Rockets have become better at forcing turnovers and turning defense into offense. In the eight-game winning streak, they have averaged 18.3 points off turnovers. That’s an increase of 2.5 points per game than before the recent run. Before these eight games, they ranked 23rd in points off turnovers. They have ranked seventh in the winning streak.