The losing streak is now at 14 games and counting for the young Houston Rockets (1-15). But in Saturday’s 106-99 setback (box score) at New York’s Madison Square Garden, the effort shown by Stephen Silas’ crew was much improved in a competitive loss to the host Knicks (9-7).
Alec Burks scored a game-high 20 points and hit his first five 3-pointers of the fourth quarter, helping the Knicks rally from a 6-point hole early in the period. Christian Wood led Houston with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Jalen Green and Eric Gordon scored 16 and 15, respectively.
Houston played tough and out-rebounded the Knicks by a double-digit margin (48-37) for the game. But they had 22 turnovers compared to 12 for the Knicks, and the Rockets shot just 10-of-39 on 3-pointers (25.6%) — while New York connected on 18-of-41 (43.9%) from distance. Houston also continued its usual struggles from the free-throw line, shooting 13-of-22 (59.1%). In a game that was there for the taking, the Knicks were much more efficient on their free throws at 22-of-26 (84.6%).
See below for highlights, statistics, and player analysis from Saturday’s game, with grades limited to players who started or played clear rotation minutes. Houston concludes its four-game road trip with Monday’s visit to Boston (8-8), where tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. Central.
