Rockets Game 16 Notebook: Flipping Script For Same Results vs. Pacers
HOUSTON — With the exception of a handful of games, nearly every contest for the Houston Rockets has followed the same script during the 2022-23 campaign.
A subpar first quarter would put the Rockets behind by double digits as a game of catch-up becomes the primary theme for the next 36 minutes.
The Rockets would battle back but ultimately fall short.
Against the Indiana Pacers Friday night, the Rockets' 16th game of the season followed a similar script. But instead of playing catch-up for the next three quarters, Houston tried to stave off Indiana after taking a 20-point lead early in the first quarter.
A fast start inside the Toyota Center resulted in the Rockets sustaining a 99-91 loss to the Pacers.
"We have to execute," Jalen Green said. "That's the biggest thing for us right now. It seems to be little things that keep getting in the way every game."
The Pacers scored the first basket of the game when Jalen Smith completed a dunk attempt assisted by Buddy Hield.
Following Smith's bucket, the Rockets outscored the Pacers 12-2 to open the game. Behind 12 first-quarter points from Eric Gordon, the Rockets ended the period with a 25-10 lead. The 10 points Houston allowed in the first quarter was the fewest the franchise had given up since January 10, 2014, against the Atlanta Hawks.
Gordon and coach Stephen Silas said the Pacers were missing shots during the first half, as Indiana connected on 38.5 percent of their field goal attempts.
During the second half, it became the Rockets' turn to struggle from the field. Between the third and fourth quarters, the Pacers outscored the Rockets 54-41.
Silas said he noticed that the Rockets were getting looks around the basket, but their shots weren't going in. Houston shot 20-for-51 in the paint.
"You cannot expect a team to score 10 points every quarter," Silas said. "We played more than good enough defense. This marked the second game in a row we held a team under 100 points. We had a bunch of paint attempts but just did not make them."
Filling the void left by Kevin Porter Jr.
Silas attributed a part of the Rockets' defeat to missing easy shot attempts. But he also acknowledged that the absence of Kevin Porter Jr. hindered the Rockets' play.
Porter missed his first game of the season due to lower back soreness. Without Porter, Silas recognized the Rockets did not execute their plays correctly.
Prior to the game, Silas emphasized filling in the empty void left by Porter's absence with his scoring and ball-handling duties.
From Gordon enhancing his usage percentage to Daishen Nix playing more minutes, replacing Porter's production was more of a challenging feat for the Rockets.
"He is a good player," Silas said. "When we don't have our starting point guard, it's hard to have guys out there to get us into our sets. Our game is based on having multiple ball handlers on the floor. And there were times tonight that we didn't."
Respect from the mentor
Silas did not have a chance to coach against his mentor, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle.
A no-call for Tyrese Haliburton on a lay-up attempt sent Carlisle into a rage. He received two technical fouls and was ejected late in the second quarter.
Despite enduring back-to-back losing seasons, Carlisle expressed how proud he is of the job Silas has done as coach of the Rockets. Carlisle stated amid his on-court development, he believes Silas is developing a great culture in Houston.
Silas served as Carlisle's assistant coach for three seasons with the Dallas Mavericks before joining the Rockets in October 2020.
"He is a great head coach," Carlisle said. "In year three, I see these guys playing with a lot more energy and togetherness. Developing a team that is this young, the results will not come overnight — it takes time. This team is going to have some good stretches with the progress they have made."
Quick Hits:
- With the loss, the Rockets extended their losing streak against the Pacers to six games, which is their longest in the all-time series.
- Houston lost despite holding Indiana to a season-low 99 points. The Rockets scored 91 points and are averaging 102.4 points over the past five games since scoring a season-high 134 at Orlando on Nov. 7.
- Jalen Green had 16 points on 2-of-10 shooting, five rebounds and five assists. Green has now recorded at least 15 points, five rebounds and five assists in four of the past five games after achieving the feat five times prior in his career.
You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24
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