The 11-game losing streak for the Rockets is no more after Saturday’s 122-110 win (box score) at San Antonio. In a battle of two young and rebuilding clubs at the bottom of the Western Conference, Houston improved to 14-49, while the Spurs dropped to 16-48.
Rookie forward Tari Eason led a balanced effort for the Rockets with 20 points, which tied his career high. Eason hit 7-of-11 shots (63.6%) on Saturday, 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (66.7%), and he also grabbed 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks over his 31 minutes.
Other Houston players in double-figures included:
- KJ Martin: 14 points, 13 rebounds; 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%)
- Jalen Green: 12 points, 4 assists; 6-of-13 shooting (46.2%)
- Kevin Porter Jr.: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists; 4-of-10 shooting (40.0%), 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25.0%)
- Alperen Sengun: 16 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists; 6-of-9 shooting (66.7%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 12 points, 2 rebounds; 5-of-7 shooting (71.4%), 1-of-3 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
- Josh Christopher: 14 points, 4 assists; 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%)
- Usman Garuba: 11 points, 3 rebounds; 3-of-3 on 3-pointers
The Spurs were led in defeat by Devonte’ Graham, who had 28 points and 4 assists on 7-of-12 shooting from 3-point range (58.3%).
Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews. Next up for both Texas rivals is part two of their weekend back-to-back, with a rematch in Houston set for 6 p.m. Central on Sunday.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
Rockets win in San Antonio 122-110. 11-game losing streak is history. pic.twitter.com/tA38s39zpH
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 5, 2023
Game 1 of the Tanker Tier Series is in the books and the #Rockets prevail! Their 1st win in a month!
HOU improves to 14-49 and SAS drops to 16-48.
Game 2 tomorrow where Keldon Johnson & Devin Vassell are expected back for SAS.
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) March 5, 2023
Stephen Silas is smiling again! #Rockets pic.twitter.com/EEBifhX85q
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 5, 2023
Watch him work! @TAR13ASON 👏 pic.twitter.com/kGVQU9SN23
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 5, 2023
KPJ deserves some love tonight, he’s been really really solid, been playing within himself and isn’t forcing the issue. Getting everybody involved and directing traffic
— Xavier Thibodeaux (@zayiceman171) March 5, 2023
Hey when you have loss 11 in a row and have the worst record in the league you really dont care if you are playing the Washington Generals or the Spurs G League. A win is a win in the NBA
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) March 5, 2023
Thing about Jalen from Year 1 to Year 2, even though #Rockets were bad both years, he faced way easier coverages as a rookie due to being a secondary option.
This year, defenses scheme for him every game, and there's no Wood. Gordon is gone and KPJ has missed a ton of games, too https://t.co/mqhftDvA4m
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 5, 2023
GUP BOOM‼️ pic.twitter.com/KOnByAePYb
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 5, 2023
Josh Christopher with a strong game off the bench in tonight's win!
Watch him work ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/q3uGVomUhR
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 5, 2023
Jabari Smith let out a yell after that corner 3. He needed that
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) March 5, 2023
NEW: Behind Josh Christopher and Tari Eason, the #Rockets ended their 11-game losing streak in a win Saturday night against the San Antonio Spurs. via @InsideRocketsFN
"Everybody contributed tonight. It was a good team win." — Stephen Silas https://t.co/dlaousIHGg
— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) March 5, 2023
"You're ballin' now" – @jabarismithjr on Tari Eason@TAR13ASON tonight vs SA
20 PTS / 5 REB / 2 AST / 2 BLK / 2 STLTari spoke with our @SportsVanessa after the @HoustonRockets 122-110 win over the Spurs pic.twitter.com/3IdO0OSOqo
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) March 5, 2023
Stephen Silas talked his 2nd unit in the #Rockets win over the Spurs@HoustonRockets on AT&T SportsNet pic.twitter.com/6PcyLcL4nH
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) March 5, 2023
“This move is illegal in 49 other states!” pic.twitter.com/9r8YbVIsKC
— The Tribal Commish (@SummitCommish) March 5, 2023
Tonight's #Rockets game recap in three images
(Photos by Aaron Meullion, USA TODAY Sports) pic.twitter.com/oFJtLAsaeS
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 5, 2023
