The Houston Rockets, led by Jalen Green ‘s season-high 37 points, easily defeated the Washington Wizards 135-119 during Thursday’s NBA action, marking their fourth consecutive victory. Fred VanVleet also played a significant role, contributing 27 points to the win.
“We’ve been playing really good,” Green said. “Defense has been our main priority because we’re very talented offensively. When we get out in transition and run it’s very hard to guard us. So it all starts with defense and that’s been really good.”
Despite missing Alperen Sengun due to knee and ankle injuries, all of Houston’s starters hit double figures, showcasing the team’s depth and resilience.
Washington struggled to find its rhythm, with Jordan Poole leading the team off the bench with 25 points. Deni Avdija and Kyle Kuzma also made notable contributions, but the team’s defense couldn’t contain the Rockets’ dynamic offense.
“I thought we started well (but) it got away from us a little bit in the second quarter, ” Washington interim coach Brian Keefe said. “We never really got our defense in the game. The ball was getting in the paint way too easily.”
Green highlighted the team’s adaptability in Sengun’s absence, emphasizing their speed and efficiency in transition as key factors in their recent success.
“When it’s just the small unit in, we play a lot faster and get out and run,” Green said.
Despite a brief rally from the Wizards, the Rockets maintained their lead throughout the game, with Green’s sharpshooting and strategic plays keeping Washington at bay.
The Rockets look forward to their next game against Cleveland, while the Wizards aim to bounce back against Chicago, with both teams focused on building momentum from their performances on Thursday.
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