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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Ben DuBose

Rookies Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore set career highs as Rockets blast Raptors

HOUSTON — In Friday’s finale of a three-game homestand at Toyota Center, rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore each set career highs in scoring as Houston routed Toronto, 135-106 (box score).

The Rockets (23-25) finished the homestand at 2-1, while the Raptors (17-31) lost for the 10th time in 12 games.

In a dominant win by the Rockets with a season-high 84 points in the paint, double-figure scorers for the home team included:

  • Cam Whitmore: 25 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals in 21 minutes; 10-of-17 shooting (58.8%), 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%)
  • Amen Thompson: 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals in 24 minutes; 9-of-11 shooting (81.8%)
  • Alperen Sengun: 24 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists in 29 minutes; 10-of-14 shooting (71.4%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
  • Jalen Green: 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists in 27 minutes; 7-of-14 shooting (50.0%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 11 points, 3 rebounds in 24 minutes; 4-of-9 shooting (44.4%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%)
  • Fred VanVleet: 10 points, 6 assists in 25 minutes; 4-of-7 shooting (57.1%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50.0%)

Whitmore has now scored 17 or more points in five straight games despite averaging under 25 minutes per game over that stretch.

Scottie Barnes led Toronto with 28 points and 7 rebounds while shooting 10-of-17 overall (58.8%) and 7-of-8 on free throws (87.5%).

Here’s our look at Friday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. With the homestand in the books, next up for Houston is a tough game Sunday at Minnesota (34-14) to open up a four-game road trip. Tipoff is at 6 p.m. Central.

Feb. 2 Rockets-Raptors reaction

 

 

 

 

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