The Rockets won just five of their first 29 road games of the 2023-24 NBA season. But somehow, even while significantly short-handed, they’ve won four straight away from Houston and secured a perfect 3-0 road trip courtesy of Tuesday’s 103-101 win (box score) at San Antonio.
Tari Eason (left tibia surgery) and Alperen Sengun (right ankle sprain) were both sidelined by injury and likely will be for the remainder of the 2023-24 season. Cam Whitmore (right knee sprain) was out, as well, and appears likely to miss three weeks.
Yet, with Jock Landale playing inspired ball at center in Sengun’s absence and Fred VanVleet providing his usual steadying presence at point guard, the young and improving Rockets (30-35) used a strong defensive effort to rally back from a double-digit deficit in the first half. The Spurs (14-52) remain in the Western Conference cellar.
Prized rookie Victor Wembanyama had 13 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks for the Spurs, though strong defense by Dillon Brooks helped to limit the French sensation to 5-of-12 shooting (41.7%) and 2-of-7 from 3-point range (28.6%).
For Houston, in a balanced performance that reflected a true team win, key statistical lines included:
- Fred VanVleet: 21 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks; 7-of-16 shooting (43.8%), 3-of-9 on 3-pointers (33.3%)
- Jalen Green: 16 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists; 5-of-16 shooting (31.3%), 2-of-6 on 3-pointers (33.3%), 4-of-5 on free throws (80.0%)
- Jabari Smith Jr.: 15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals; 5-of-11 shooting (45.5%), 1-of-3 on 3-pointers (33.3%), 4-of-4 on free throws
- Dillon Brooks: 14 points, 6 fouls; 6-of-11 shooting (54.5%), 2-of-7 on 3-pointers (28.6%)
- Jock Landale: 11 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals; 5-of-8 shooting (62.5%), 1-of-2 on 3-pointers (50.0%)
Houston has now won five of its last six games, overall. The only loss was a close one on night two of a back-to-back versus the Los Angeles Clippers, a perceived title contender, and in a game Houston led by 20 points in the first half.
Here’s our look at Tuesday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up is Thursday’s home game versus Washington, which kicks off a stretch with five of six games at Toyota Center. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m. Central.
5 wins in 6 games, 4 straight on the road, 30-35 overall.
Would’ve been so easy for the #Rockets to go Cancun mode after the way they limped into the All-Star break. Kudos to Ime Udoka and the culture in place that it didn’t happen. This is real progress.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 13, 2024
The biggest story is the Rockets being +15 with Jock Landale on the court, and -13 with him off.
For their pick and roll heavy offense to function, they badly need a good screener and short roll scored, and Landale is that. Defensively, he’s the best rim protector they got.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) March 13, 2024
Rockets were an absolute terror defensively tonight, switching across the board, and getting a big road win over the Spurs.
— Jock Freaking Landale (11 points, 5 assists, 4 boards) was outstanding defensively and a +15 in a 2-point win.
— After a brutal first half, Jabariâ¦
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) March 13, 2024
I bet that 3 feels so good for Jabari Smith.
From the exact same spot he badly missed the wide open 3 in the 2nd game of the season.
That’s a beautiful story right there.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) March 13, 2024
Jock landale just outplayed Wemby
— Big R (@bigr_in_SD) March 13, 2024
This will be the identity for the rockets for the rest of the season .. win gritty and ugly.. be tough and smart.. most teams 1 2 3 Cancun at this point so we can out work some wins
— Apathetic (@ftank58) March 13, 2024
The Rockets did it.
Fred and Landale with a big time performance, and Jabari Smith with a massive 2nd half.
Behind an incredible defensive effort, the Rockets pull through, and win their 4th game in the last 5 games. Well done
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) March 13, 2024
Jock Landale has been such a difference-maker tonight.
He’s a #Rockets team-high +16
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) March 13, 2024
Ime Udoka feels the Sengun diagnosis was really positive. “When there’s nothing broken and nothing torn and you’re not missing months and (going) into next season, that’s good news.”
Ime said Sengun was scared initially but relieved to get the news. “He’s as happy as all of usâ¦
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) March 12, 2024
The #Rockets have a 4-game road winning streak for the first time this season
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) March 13, 2024
Another stringent defensive display tonight, Rockets win their 4th straight road game, longest road winning streak of the season. Landale + Jabari immense in the 2nd half.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) March 13, 2024
Don’t look know buy the Rockets are only 4.5 games behind the Warriors. I KNOW it would take a miracle but if you can at least make them sweat that’s a win. Warriors play the Mavs tomorrow the Rockets next game vs the lowly Wizards pic.twitter.com/2ehqrGIIOn
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) March 13, 2024
If any game was ever a “the head coach won the game” it was tonight. Coach Udoka pulled all the right strings. The Rockets have won four straight on the road 5 of 6 overall and the one they loss they were up 20. Have to give the coaching staff credit for the recent play pic.twitter.com/nyYMV0udGE
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) March 13, 2024
The last time the #Rockets won their 30th game of a single NBA season, it was January 31, 2020.
James Harden and Russell Westbrook combined for 67 against the Mavs, and bench legend Ben McLemore added 13.
Here’s the box score. It’s been a while.https://t.co/ifMnOl2vhj
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 13, 2024
Ime Udoka says the Rockets will miss the low post scoring of Alperen Sengun, but defensively…
“I think it gives us more options without Alpi there,” said Udoka. “That’s the only benefit, I would say, that we can get to more switching and more aggressive stuff.” pic.twitter.com/AMsNIpkgEb
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) March 13, 2024
Wemby on the challenges of being defended by hard-nosed Dillon Brooks and all the other bodies the Rockets throw at him:
“The physicality, the energy. Every night it’s a challenge, but this is a very aggressive team defensively, so this is the most hard.”
— Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) March 13, 2024