Rockets Unable to Keep Pace in Road Loss to Pacers
The Houston Rockets could not keep pace with the Indiana Pacers Tuesday night amid a 132-129 loss inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Rockets began the first half beating the Pacers at their own game. However, Houston's offense fell back to earth midway through the third quarter, where the Pacers outscored the Rockets 38-24.
To Jalen Green's desires, the Rockets played faster when compared to their tempo against the Minnesota Timberwolves Sunday night. As a result, Houston held a 75-68 halftime lead.
They shot 65.2 percent from the floor and 66.7 percent from behind the arc while nailing eight 3-point field goals in the first half. By halftime, three players scored in double figures, with Jabari Smith Jr. leading the way by scoring 18 of his 20 points.
Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Unfortunately, the Rockets could not sustain their hot scoring in the second half. The Pacers won the second half 64-54. They shot 59.5 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from behind the arc. Houston struggled to keep pace with Indiana, as they shot 39.2 percent during the final two quarters.
Green led the Rockets with 30 points on 12 of 20 shooting. He scored a dozen in the fourth quarter. His 3-point field goal late in the final period brought the Rockets within three points (130-127) with 31.3 seconds left.
However, on the next possession, All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton put the game out of reach by nailing a contested layup, which gave the Pacers a five-point advantage. Haliburton finished with 18 points and seven assists in the win.
Dillon Brooks added 23 points in the loss, while Alperen Şengün recorded 20 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
Five players scored in double figures for the Pacers. Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 29 points, while Myles Turner added 21 points before fouling out late in the fourth quarter.
Fred VanVleet out due to left adductor strain:
The Rockets ruled Fred VanVleet out a day before taking on the Pacers Monday night. He sustained a left adductor strain in Sunday's loss to the Timberwolves. Coach Ime Udoka announced before the game that VanVleet will miss at least four games, including his lone return to Scotiabank Arena to face off against the Raptors.
VanVleet has appeared in 47 games, averaging 16.5 points on 40.9 percent shooting from the field and 8.2 assists.
Amen Thompson receives second career start:
In the absence of VanVleet, Rookie Amen Thompson received his second career start. Thompson had arguably the best game of his young career with 13 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and three blocks.
Road struggles are starting to become unbearable:
The Rockets are 0-2 on their current four-game road trip. But more importantly, Houston remains one of the league's worst teams on the road. They are 5-18 away from the Toyota Center and have dropped nine consecutive games against the Pacers, a franchise-high.
