© Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Green, Amen Thompson Lead Rockets to Victory Over Trail Blazers
After a disappointing defeat to the Jazz Thursday night, the Houston Rockets had a bounce-back performance Friday against the Trail Blazers.
The Houston Rockets are one game away from finishing the 2023-24 season with a winning record. Friday night, the Rockets won their 40th game of the season in a 116-107 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Houston improved its record to 40-41 inside the Moda Center. Should the Rockets win their final game Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers, they will end their 57th season with a winning record for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign, which marked James Harden's final year with the franchise.
Apr 12, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) dribbles the basketball
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Green had a bounce-back performance after his subpar play against the Utah Jazz 24 hours earlier. He finished with a team-best 26 points on 10 of 20 shooting, 5 of 10 from behind the arc, to go along with nine rebounds in the win. Green scored three points in the Rockets' disappointing loss to the Jazz Thursday night.
He was one of five players who scored in double figures. Aaron Holiday came off the bench and scored 18 points, while Jock Landale added a season-high 20 points and a pair of blocks in the win.
Amen Thompson logged one of his best games as a rookie. He started at point guard for the injured Fred VanVleet and recorded his 12th career double-double of 17 points, 15 rebounds and six assists.
The Trail Blazers had one of their most promising performances of the season due to the play of their young players. Scoot Henderson recorded a game-high 30 points, seven assists, five rebounds a block and a steal. Dalano Banton added 28 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
