Sluggish effort
The Rockets report, brought to you by APG&E: Rockets fall to Trail Blazers in Portland 125-112
Jan 29, 2020, 11:45 pm
After winning three out of their last four games, it really started to feel Houston was started to turn it around as a team. However, Wednesday night's effort in Portland showed otherwise. It's not just that the Rockets lose, it's how they lost. Porous transition defense, not closing out on shooters, and lazy fouling lead to a defensive rating of 117.5 for the Rockets tonight.
Highlight: Dame finishes a layup. https://t.co/38C6Ze3k3l— Portland Trail Blazers (@Portland Trail Blazers) 1580360480.0
The Trail Blazers are not a good enough basketball team to make the Rockets look this lost defensively on national television. Effort starts from the top and works it's way down and that's probably the best place to begin with this: James Harden. In addition to continuing to look out of it offensively (18 points on 5 of 18 shooting from the field, 6 turnovers), Harden has reverted to levels of defense he was mocked for five years ago.
This really started before the thigh injury he suffered last week and has continued after the injury. Perhaps it's fair to give Harden some more time to get back into rhythm and feeling like himself after missing two games, but if things continue in the direction they've gone, Houston is in real trouble of playing their first round playoff series on the road.
Star of the game: In addition to being one of the few Rockets who gave a strong effort tonight, Russell Westbrook was really the only reason this wasn't a 30-point blowout. Westbrook had 39 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block on 16 for 29 shooting from the field. Westbrook took the reigns of the offense while Harden was mostly non-aggressive.
Russell Westbrook seems extra motivated today. https://t.co/WYi9FqJ9zo— Salman Ali (@Salman Ali) 1580355156.0
Honorable mention: After moving back to the bench, Ben McLemore had a fantastic outing, scoring 17 points in just 22 minutes. McLemore as 5 of 8 from three-point range and looked very comfortable in his new role. With a neon green light to shoot and no pressure to defend at a high level off the bench, this is ultimately the best role for for McLemore. The Rockets lost, but he was very good as a seventh man.
Key moment: It really started to pour down against the Rockets in the second quarter where they were outscored 41 to 24. The star players for both teams told the story as while James Harden greatly struggled (4 points, 1 for 3 from the field), Damian Lillard torched the Rockets (9 points, 2 of 4 shooting from the field). The Rockets also greatly struggled from beyond the arc (5 for 15 from three-point range).
Up next: The Rockets return to Houston at 6:30 p.m. on Friday to take on the Dallas Mavericks.
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Jason Heyward hit a two-run homer early and Jon Singleton had three hits, capped by a tiebreaking RBI single in Houston’s four-run eighth inning, and the Astros got a 6-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.
SAY HEY!!#Relentless pic.twitter.com/fqAiUHHdNh
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 12, 2024
Brent Rooker homered off Ryan Pressly (2-3) with one out in the eighth to tie it at 2-all.
Yainer Diaz and Kyle Tucker hit consecutive singles with one out in the eighth to chase T.J. McFarland (2-3) and bring on Grant Holman. There were two outs in the inning when Singleton’s single to center field scored Diaz to put the Astros on top.
Jake Meyers followed with a run-scoring double before the Athletics intentionally walked Heyward to load the bases. Mauricio Dubón singled on a ground ball to left field to score two more, pushing the lead to 6-2.
Tyler Nevin hit a solo homer off Josh Hader with one out in the ninth before the closer retired the next two batters to end it.
Houston’s Framber Valdez allowed five hits and a run with six strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings to help the Astros avoid a three-game sweep and snap a three-game skid with the victory.
La Grasa had himself a day.#Relentless pic.twitter.com/LvGeKBAoqA
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 12, 2024
Oakland starter Mitch Spence permitted seven hits and two runs in seven innings.
Singleton hit a ground-rule double with one out in the second before Heyward smacked a line drive into the second row in right field for his first home run as an Astro to make it 2-0.
It was the third hit in 12 games with Houston for Heyward, who signed with the Astros Aug. 29 after being released by the Dodgers.
Jacob Wilson doubled to open the seventh and moved to third on a ground out by Nevin. The Athletics cut the lead to 1 when Wilson scored on a single by Daz Cameron that chased Valdez.
Bryan Abreu took over and pinch-hitter Seth Brown grounded into a double play on his second pitch to preserve the lead.
Lawrence Butler doubled with one out in the third to extend his career-long hitting streak to 20 games.
Singleton doubled again to start Houston’s fourth before Spence sat down the next 11 Astros. Houston’s next base runner came on a double by Dubón with two outs in the seventh and Alex Bregman grounded out to leave him stranded.
Trainer’s Room
Athletics: 1B Tyler Soderstrom (left wrist injury) is scheduled to come off the injured list Friday for the start of a series against the White Sox.
Astros: 2B Jose Altuve was out of the lineup Thursday, a day after leaving in the fifth inning with discomfort in his right side. Manager Joe Espada said he was feeling better Thursday and that he is listed as day to day.
Up Next
Athletics: LHP Brady Basso (0-0, 1.93 ERA) will start for Oakland against LHP Garrett Crochet (6-11, 3.83) in the opener of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox Friday night.
Astros: Houston LHP Yusei Kikuchi (8-9, 4.31) opposes LHP Samuel Aldegheri (1-1, 2.45) in the first of three games against the Los Angeles Angels Friday night.