Jalen Green shook off a slow shooting start to score a game-high 29 points, but it wasn’t nearly enough for a young Houston squad to win in Monday’s 123-104 road loss (box score) versus James Harden and the veteran-laden 76ers. The Rockets (13-44) have lost six straight games, while Philadelphia (37-19) has won its last three.
Harden, a former Rockets star and a potential free agent target in the 2023 offseason, led the 76ers with 28 points and 10 assists on 9-of-18 shooting (50.0%) and 4-of-9 on 3-pointers (44.4%).
Green shot 1-of-10 in the first half but recovered to make 5-of-10 shots in the second half. Most importantly, he drew a career-high 17 free-throw attempts, making 15 of them (88.2%).
Ultimately, it was a game where the Rockets were defeated by math and a lack of shooting. Houston made just 6-of-24 shots (25%) from 3-point range, while the Sixers hit 15-of-34 (44.1%). Of those six makes, several came after the game had long been decided.
Besides Green, other Houston players in double figures were:
- Alperen Sengun: 12 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals; 5-of-9 shooting (55.6%)
- KJ Martin: 15 points, 7 rebounds, 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%)
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 10 points, 12 rebounds, 3-of-14 shooting (21.4%), 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25.0%)
Scroll on for highlights, analysis and postgame interview reaction. Next up for Houston, as its three-game road trip concludes heading into the 2023 All-Star break, is Wednesday’s game at Oklahoma City. Tipoff from Paycom Center is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
That's a career-high 17 free-throw attempts for Jalen Green
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 14, 2023
James Harden dominated his former team in the second half, scoring 19 of his 28 points and getting eight of his 10 assists. He sits with 4 1/2 minutes left, the Sixers up 21.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) February 14, 2023
The Rockets already don't take a ton of threes a night, but losing Eric Gordon really hurts from that aspect — at least while Kevin Porter Jr. is still out.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) February 14, 2023
Houston’s refusal to stagger Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun is always mind-boggling, but even more so tonight.
Sengun’s been struggling against Joel Embiid all night. With Embiid now on the bench, where’s Sengun you might ask?
On the bench.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) February 14, 2023
Frank Kaminsky making his Rockets debut pic.twitter.com/xleY8XytBg
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 14, 2023
Well, at least one team in Philly knows how to win.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) February 14, 2023
I feel pretty confident in saying the Rockets would be a much better team if James Harden returned this summer
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 14, 2023
Jalen is progressively improving as a foul merchant, it's wonderful to see
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 14, 2023
James Harden had a vintage Harden good game (28 points/10 dimes on 50%) and Jalen Green had a vintage Harden bad game (29 points on 6/20 shooting and 17 free throws)
A ceremonial passing of the torch
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) February 14, 2023
I get Sengun's frustration and forcing up a look, he's been out there standing around most of night and not sure why it's become this with him lately, he quickly becomes an afterthought
— Abel (@AbelGe87) February 14, 2023
Usman Garuba and Netflix's "You People"
corner 3s 🤝An odd love story
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) February 14, 2023
#Rockets have been working on post entry passes to Sengun, but they should also work on how to reposition and space along the perimeter during Sengun post-ups. Oh, and shooting high percentages on threes would be nice.
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) February 14, 2023
That’s the thing about Darius Days he is a pure scorer. Lead the G League in total points
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 14, 2023
#Rockets KJ Martin tonight vs PHI@kj__martin 🏀15 PTS🏀7 REB🏀@HoustonRockets on AT&T SportsNet pic.twitter.com/5GAe5r2tUe
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) February 14, 2023
Jabari Smith badly needs a strech of good play soon. Hopefully the All Star break will be a chance to reset. The struggles are unfortunately affecting all aspects of his game now
— Draft Dummies (@DraftDummies) February 14, 2023
#Rockets just 6-24 from the 3-point line in a 123-104 loss to the 76ers
Stephen Silas had this reaction after the game pic.twitter.com/MLHcX1N7C6
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) February 14, 2023
Jalen Green led the #Rockets tonight with 2⃣9⃣ points@HoustonRockets on AT&T SportsNet pic.twitter.com/1nDGgZSdLO
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) February 14, 2023
