Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet combined for 75 points as the host Houston Rockets turned a sharpshooting exhibition into a runaway 147-119 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday, March 23 (Sunday, March 24, Manila time).
Green poured in 41 points – one shy of his career-high matched Tuesday against Washington – while VanVleet tallied a season-high 34 to pace the Rockets (35-35) to their eighth consecutive victory and 10th win in 11 games.
Green and VanVleet combined to finish 26-of-38 from the floor and 17-of-26 from behind the arc as Houston drilled a season-high 27 three-pointers.
VanVleet nailed 10 treys, matching a single-game franchise record.
Jeff Green added a season-high 21 points off the bench for the Rockets while making 4-of-8 threes.
Houston led by as many as 35 points prior to the fourth quarter courtesy of 59.5% shooting from the floor through the first 36 minutes of action.
John Collins led the Jazz (29-42) with 25 points while Collin Sexton chipped in 20 points and 8 assists. The Jazz, without Lauri Markkanen (right quad contusion) and Jordan Clarkson (right groin strain), have lost 11 of 13 games and 10 consecutive games on the road.
A feisty start for the Jazz fizzled down the stretch of the first quarter. The Rockets used a 20-3 run to grab a 40-19 lead, with Jalen Green and VanVleet combining for 16 points during the outburst.
VanVleet drilled three 3-pointers during the rally while Green added a jumper, a three-pointer, and a thunderous alley-oop dunk.
Houston achieved near perfection on the offensive end in the opening period. The Rockets went 19-for-23 overall and grabbed three offensive rebounds on their four misses. They tallied 16 fastbreak points and 12 assists.
Jalen Green and VanVleet scored a combined 30 points on 11-of-14 shooting.
Collins scored 12 points in the second quarter for Utah, taking advantage of the absence of Rockets center Jabari Smith Jr., who was ejected following an altercation with Jazz guard Kris Dunn just five seconds into the frame. Dunn was also ejected for his participation in the scuffle.
VanVleet and the Greens finished a combined 14-for-18 from behind the arc in the first half. The Rockets, whose final point total was a season high, led 85-55 at the intermission. – Rappler.com
