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by: Kris Gardner, United States Basketball Writers Association member. Credentialed media member since 1997. USBWA approved online journalist. Voter of Katrina McClain, Naismith, USBWA, and Wooden awards.

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Rockets now 1-8 after 109-101 loss to Clippers

POSTED: November 3, 2022 -- 8:45 a.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets started slowly; battled back; but, ultimately lost 109-101 to the LA Clippers Wednesday night to fall to 1-8 in the 2022-23 NBA season.

The Rockets trailed the Clippers 23-5 with 4:04 remaining in the first quarter before waking up to outscore the Clippers 19-11 to close out the quarter down just 10 (34-24).

Houston's rally was keyed by their bench: KJ Martin (2 points); Daishen Nix (6 points); Tari Eason (2 points); and Usman Garuba (4 points) combined for 14 points in the first quarter.

"I was proud of those guys," Stephen Silas, Rockets Head Coach, said after the game. "They came in and gave us really good energy."

Rockets' guard Kevin Porter Jr scored 9 points in the second quarter; and, made 2 of 3 foul shots in the final 2.9 seconds of the quarter to put Houston on top 53-52. However, Clippers forward Nicholas Batum sank a three-point shot at the top of the key with 0.7 seconds remaining.

KPJ said, "We got to come out with energy that we brought to the second quarter. The second group did really good bringing energy. The first team got to bring that same energy."

Batum was fouled by Houston's Alperen Sengun. Batum made the free throw to complete the 4-point play. Houston trailed 56-53 at halftime.

Jalen Green got his offense rolling in the third quarter for Houston. Green scored 14 points in the quarter on 5 for 8 field goal shooting including 3 for 5 from long range. The rest of the Rockets made just 3 of 14 field goals in the third quarter and Houston was outscored 30-26 in the quarter to trail 86-79 after three periods.

Clippers back up big man Moses Brown gave the Rockets fits in the third quarter. The long and lanky 7'2" Brown scored 11 points in the third quarter -- on 5 dunks and 1 of 3 free throw shooting.

Houston's offense sputtered with 3 turnovers in the first three minutes of the fourth quarter. Houston trailed 90-82 with 9:32 on the game clock. Both teams went scoreless for nearly 2 minutes before KJ Martin made a three-pointer to cut Houston's deficit to 90-85 with 7:55 remaining in the game.

The Rockets didn't get closer than 5 points the rest of the ball game. Houston added 4 more turnovers in the fourth for a total of 7 in the quarter. The Clippers scored 9 points off the 7 miscues.

Alperen Sengun finished the game with season highs of 26 points and 13 rebounds in the game, marking his third double-double of the season and his second with 20 and 10.

Jalen Green scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half. He did not have more than 17 points in any of the four games prior while averaging 14.0 points per game (24.0 points per game first four games).

Kevin Porter Jr. had 22 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. He also had 6 of Houston's 19 turnovers in the game.

"It starts with me. I'm the pg (point guard);" KPJ said after the game. "And, I had the most turnovers tonight."

NOTES:

Houston hit 11 3-pointers on 28.9% shooting. Since hitting 16 three-point field goals made per game in consecutive games on 10/21 and 10/22, the Rockets are averaging 11.0 over the past six games. Last season, 18 of Houston's 20 wins came when having 14+ three-point field goals made per game.

Daishen Nix had a season-high 12 points while shooting 4-of-6 from 3-point range. He is shooting 8-of-13 from behind-the-arc over the past four games after shooting 7-of-30 the first 27 games of his career.

LA's Paul George had a game-high 28 points with 5 assists tonight after recording 35 points and 8 assists vs. Houston on 10/31. He averaged 13.3 ppg and 3.3 apg over his previous three games played.

Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. added 21 points and 10 rebounds.

NEXT:

The Rockets' next game is Saturday night, November 5, in Minnesota, against the Timberwolves. Tip is set for 7 p.m. Central Time.


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