HOUSTON — In game five of the season’s longest homestand, a seven-game stretch, the resurgent Rockets won their fourth straight contest on Wednesday. Houston dominated the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, 128-94 (box score).
With the win, Houston (4-3) is above .500 for the first time since very early in the 2020-21 season — effectively three years. It was also another stout defensive game for Ime Udoka’s Rockets. Perhaps most impressively, however, the rout padded Houston’s average margin of victory during its winning streak to 21.5 points per game.
On offense, standout players included:
- Jalen Green: 28 points, 7 rebounds, plus-24 in 21 minutes; 11-of-15 shooting (73.3%), 5-of-6 on 3-pointers (83.3%)
- Alperen Sengun: 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, plus-18 in 25 minutes; 8-of-10 shooting (80%), 3-of-4 on free throws (75%)
- Fred VanVleet: 9 points, 10 assists, plus-28 in 29 minutes
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 12 points, 6 rebounds, plus-19 in 25 minutes; 4-of-8 shooting (50%), 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50%)
- Jae’Sean Tate: 14 points, plus-16 in 27 minutes; 6-of-10 shooting (60%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
Anthony Davis sat out with a leg injury. Co-star LeBron James finished with 18 points and 6 rebounds on 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%), and the Lakers (3-5) were outscored by 24 points over his 27 minutes.
Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston, as its extended run at Toyota Center continues, is Friday’s in-season tournament game versus New Orleans. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central.
Nov. 8 Rockets-Lakers reaction
The Rockets get another blowout victory, just operating like a well oiled machine rn.
Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun did whatever they wanted out there and Led the way. Efficient game for Jabari Smith. Jae'Sean Tate was massive off the bench, Tari came back.
Pelicans next.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 9, 2023
Jalen Green (+24) finishes with 28 points in 21 minutes. Shot 11-of-15 overall (73.3%) and 5-of-6 on 3-pointers (83.3%). #Rockets annihilate the Lakers.
That'll do.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) November 9, 2023
21 games into the 2020-21 season, this win in Memphis — the Christian Wood ankle injury game — was the last time the #Rockets were over .500. They then lost 20 straight, and you know the rest.
With tonight's win (fourth straight overall), Houston is finally above .500 again. https://t.co/OqnLOFOs6W
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) November 9, 2023
The current four-game winning streak for the #Rockets has an average margin of victory of 21.5 points. Three straight games holding the opponent below 100 points. Suffocating.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) November 9, 2023
This move is just ridiculous 🤯pic.twitter.com/6qrbbcetzu
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 9, 2023
Those back-to-back layups by Jalen Green to close the quarter were so damn impressive.
Pure athleticism on display.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 9, 2023
Alperen Sengun seems in good spirits, but he went to the locker room and it looked like he was limping/hopping. pic.twitter.com/7XLdbWLMA3
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 9, 2023
— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) November 9, 2023
Jalen scoring profile for this game will probably end up being his most diverse as in shot types, and I will guess these are the easiest buckets hes gotten
— Apathetic (@ftank58) November 9, 2023
Jalen Green is now shooting 46% from the field and 45% from 3
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) November 9, 2023
Ime Udoka could absolutely revamp and transform this franchise
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 9, 2023
Christian Wood a complete non-factor in Toyota Center tonight. Just like old times.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 9, 2023
WELCOME BACK TARI EASON !!!!#Rockets vs Lakers@HoustonRockets on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/qxjZmK8mbw
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) November 9, 2023
The defensive trio of Dillon Brooks, Jae'Sean Tate, and Tari Eason is just unfair man.
Clamp City.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 9, 2023
Jalen Green looks like he grew up overnight. Haven’t seen him this aggressive all year. Haven’t seen him finish like this at the rim (especially with his left hand) so far in his NBA career.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 9, 2023
Rockets 128, Lakers 94. Rockets led by 40 and 35 in the past two games. They are over .500 for the first time since February 1, 2021. Win on Wednesday is their most lopsided since January 2021.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 9, 2023
This is what I was saying earlier. The Rockets are playing as a team and won’t let one player take over. Exactly how it played out tonight https://t.co/rQZXZ1lXos
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 9, 2023
I think Nate Willams eventually carves out some kind of role on this team. Not sure what but he is just a baller
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 9, 2023
What a night for Jalen Green (which I assume is over after three quarters):
28 PTS
11-15 FG
5-6 3PGreen was the best player on the floor tonight. Confident with his three, torched multiple Lakers in isolation. Green-Şengün two-man game was unstoppable.pic.twitter.com/uxSlDsOgGG
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) November 9, 2023
Tari Eason with 500 rebounds. Most were last season, but five in nine minutes tonight.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 9, 2023
Rockets are just taking the Lakers will away pic.twitter.com/EyYwB1AxzE
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 9, 2023
It’s been a while since I’ve seen Jalen Green just take control of the game like this.
He is punishing the Lakers in the 3rd.
28 points to end the quarter
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) November 9, 2023
Watching Fred Vanvleet throw pocket bounce pass after pocket bounce pass to Sengun in pick and roll reminds me that we spent 2 years watching a wannabe PG who couldn’t throw a pocket bounce pass. Glad that’s over! This is much better.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 9, 2023
The Rockets have benefitted from some opponent injuries during this streak, but they were losing these types of games all the time the last two seasons
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) November 9, 2023
Fred VanVleet has 8 assists with just one turnover w/6:40 left in the third; he entered tonight ranked 7th in assists this season (8.2 per) and 12th in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.45); Houston was 4th in assist-to-turnover ratio entering tonight after finishing 30th in 2022-23.
— Ryan Hollins (@TheRyanHollins) November 9, 2023
The @HoustonRockets blend the past and present with their 2023-24 City Edition uniforms — honoring the contributions of Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler
Our @SportsVanessa talked with them on tonight's #Rockets broadcast on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/eFPtaWQUiO
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) November 9, 2023
.@HoustonTexans C.J. Stroud and Tank Dell in the building! pic.twitter.com/XQCjcw54Dx
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 9, 2023
This is exactly what Rafael Stone envisioned when he gave Dillon and Fred those huge contracts. Vets that know how to win and take the pressure off the young guys. It’s starting to pay off pic.twitter.com/y4chPTCUPP
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 9, 2023
The #Rockets seem to be collectively embodying Ime Udoka's tough mindset and mentality. They play hard on every possession and will beat you down if your effort is lacking.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 9, 2023
Fred VanVleet DIME to Jeff Green to close the half! pic.twitter.com/7hlhG1ziC1
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 9, 2023
Dillon is harassing LeBron all over the court pic.twitter.com/O1DEL4p9C1
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 9, 2023
Jae'Sean Tate has thwarted two Lakers transition opportunities. He blocked a Rui Hachimura dunk attempt and picked the ball from Taurean Prince.
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) November 9, 2023
That Sengun to Jalen fast break was something else.
Alpi knew he had Jalen trailing on the wing the whole trip down and fed him the ball perfectly at the last second. https://t.co/cl8j1OOKzl
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 9, 2023
this is hilarious. pic.twitter.com/reCXJMGpPB
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) November 9, 2023
James and Brooks chatting and chuckling a bit while waiting for the start of the second quarter.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 9, 2023
Obviously there are some matchups where it might not work, but I love Ime's willingness to try Jeff Green at the 5 lineups.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) November 9, 2023
What an efficient night by @JalenGreen !!!
🏀28 PTS🏀11-15 FG🏀5-6 3PT🏀7 REB🏀#Rockets beat the Lakers 128-94@HoustonRockets on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/kbEXsbQZbM— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) November 9, 2023
1,005 days!
The Houston #Rockets are above .500 for the first time in 1,005 days 🚨pic.twitter.com/r2PYW7Bmen
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) November 9, 2023
-4 Straight Wins.
-4 Straight double digit wins.
-2 Straight wins that were over after the first quarter.
-Over. 500 for the first time in over a 1,000 days.The Rockets are coming. pic.twitter.com/eRCITl1pi8
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 9, 2023
Jalen Green pulled out the Dunkstronaut dunk on the fast break 🚀🔨
Lakers-Rockets | Live on the NBA App
📲 : https://t.co/pqQsaiCmYw pic.twitter.com/aEz4Q29raU— NBA (@NBA) November 9, 2023
CJ Stroud is in the building for Rockets-Lakers 🔥#NBACelebRow | Live on the NBA App
📲 : https://t.co/pqQsaiCmYw pic.twitter.com/rX3G3gJ8q3— NBA (@NBA) November 9, 2023
Fred VanVleet so far this season
59 AST | 12 TO
Houston got their point guard pic.twitter.com/JmtVR89SzX
— RocketsMuse (@RocketsMuse) November 9, 2023
— Rocketgirl (@00rocketgirl) November 9, 2023
DUNKSTRONAUT.#Rockets pic.twitter.com/4h9oFVrJT2
— 𝘿𝙤𝙢 🚀🐬 (@DomRockets) November 9, 2023
The Rockets (the worst team in the NBA for 3 yrs) are #6 in Point Differential in the NBA!!! Wow!!!
— Robert Land | Houston Sports Talk Podcast Host (@HSTPodcast) November 9, 2023
Cannot stress how much I’m enjoying Dillon Brooks having redemption with Houston and Memphis playing like the worst team in the league.
Absolute joke they tried to blame him for their problems. He was one of their most consistent forces in winning, even if it was ugly.
— #1 Point God Stan (@samesfandiari) November 9, 2023
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 9, 2023
Ime Udoka said Jalen Green previously was pre-determining what he was going to do, whether he was going to pass or try to score, but he's made real progress. "Now he's just playing the game more free and reading (the defense)."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 9, 2023
Boban, are you serious? pic.twitter.com/vdIhzU7qMT
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 9, 2023
Hunting D-Lo like he has a license. https://t.co/kT4qBhHajo
— MoiseKapenda Bower (@moisekapenda) November 9, 2023
#Rockets President of Business Operations Gretchen Sheirr says the Rockets have sold out 3 of their first 5 home games and that's the first time that's happened since 2019.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 9, 2023
Dillon Brooks forces a LeBron James turnover and he lets everyone hear it. pic.twitter.com/TaDK2rPWeX
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 9, 2023
Ime Udoka says he reminded Jalen Green that he was on the USA Select Team and Austin Reaves was on the main USA Team going into tonight as motivation for the matchup.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 9, 2023
Ime Udoka on what the #Rockets are trying to do every game to turn things around. "Unselfish offense. Aggressive defense. It's a pretty easy recipe."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) November 9, 2023
That finish by Jalen Green was truly Michael Jordan-esque.
They can't guard him.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 9, 2023
#Rockets coach Ime Udoka talks the return of Tari Eason, who finished with nine points and nine rebounds in the win. pic.twitter.com/P5k6n5A9Pt
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) November 9, 2023
Coach Ime Udoka after a 34-point beat down of the Lakers, “We’re learning how to make plays, not just run plays.” #Rockets
@SportsTalk790 / https://t.co/mwjIC3NkUE pic.twitter.com/gIRlOCC63x
— Stan M. Norfleet (@StanSportsMan) November 9, 2023
Enjoy these JG highlights 👇 pic.twitter.com/rzv6zLVDe8
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 9, 2023
#Rockets extend their win streak to 4 games after beating the Lakers 128-94@JalenGreen with 28 points and spoke with our @SportsVanessa after the win@HoustonRockets on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/dCERsxhARW
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) November 9, 2023
