Takeaways: Josh Christopher fighting way back into Rockets’ rotation
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Fred VanVleet and the Raptors shook off a slow start and an early 13-point deficit in rallying to Friday’s comfortable road victory over the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center, 117-111 (box score).
VanVleet led the Raptors (24-30) with a game-high 32 points on Friday, including 10-of-22 from the field (45.5%) and 5-of-11 on 3-pointers (45.5%). Toronto hit 15-of-39 from 3-point range (38.5%) as a team, which gave them a significant math advantage versus the Rockets, who shot just 7-of-21 (33.3%) from distance.
Key statistics for the Rockets (13-39) included:
Eric Gordon: Season-high 28 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds; 10-of-15 shooting (66.7%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%)
KJ Martin: 20 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists; 8-of-9 shooting (88.9%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers
Josh Christopher: Season-high 15 points, 2 steals in 19 minutes; 7-of-8 shooting (87.5%)
Alperen Sengun: 21 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals; 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%), 9-of-12 on free throws (75.0%)
Jabari Smith Jr.: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists; 4-of-9 shooting (44.4%), 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (66.7%)
For Christopher, who had scored 11 points in each of Houston’s previous two games (both wins), it was his third consecutive outing with a season-high scoring total off the bench. As for Gordon, a 34-year-old veteran, he’s continuing a strong run of form leading up to next Thursday’s trade deadline — when he could be a desired target for playoff contenders elsewhere around the league.
Kevin Porter Jr. (left foot contusion) and Jalen Green (right calf contusion) each had their multi-game injury absences continue, though Green could return Saturday in Oklahoma City. Their absences have left a vacancy that Christopher, a first-round pick from the 2021 NBA draft, has successfully filled after being out of the rotation used by head coach Stephen Silas for most of this season.
Scroll on for highlights, analysis. and postgame interview reaction. Next up for Houston is the second half of its back-to-back on Saturday in Oklahoma City. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
Another big night for Josh Christopher off the #Rockets bench@Jaygup23 season high 1⃣5⃣ points
🏀19 MIN 🏀7-8 FG🏀@HoustonRockets on AT&T SportsNet pic.twitter.com/qzAaDlcRxr— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) February 4, 2023
Eric Gordon finished with 28 points tonight and was a team-high +13 and his next 3 will move him ahead of Kobe Bryant for 22nd all-time in 3-pointers made pic.twitter.com/9gEVKjB5W7
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 4, 2023
Has reset his season high three games in a row. 24, 25 and 28 tonight. https://t.co/jVXZatAIyH
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) February 4, 2023
With the Pistons win and Rockets loss, we're back in business 🚀 #Wemby
1. Houston 13-39
2. San Antonio 14-39
2. Detroit 14-39
4. Charlotte 15-39
5. Orlando 20-32— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 4, 2023
Rockets starters had a much better plus/- than the Raptors starters. That makes 8 straight games they have had a better overall % than their opponents, which is tied for their longest streak since 2014. The Rockets are still moving in the right direction.
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 4, 2023
Silas: Van Vleet and Trent got going, they were playing pick and roll, and it was hard for us to contain those two guys. But the two things that we talked about pregame were the rebounding and the transition baskets, they had 13 offensive rebounds, and 20 fast break points."
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 4, 2023
More Silas: "It was a 4-point game, we gave up the 3 at the end of the 1stst half, so it went to seven and then they went 8-0 (to start the second half) to make it 15 like right away, and that's unacceptable. We've got to start second half much better." https://t.co/O4p3aIaPnH
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 4, 2023
👀ALPEREN SENGUN 👀@alperennsengun tonight vs TOR
21 PTS / 4 REB / 4 AST / 2 STL#Rockets @HoustonRockets pic.twitter.com/HvKdbESusy— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) February 4, 2023
FINAL: Raptors 117, Rockets 111.
Rockets fail to get what would've been their longest win streak of the season, 3 games. Houston made a few fourth-quarter pushes but second and third quarters gave Toronto enough cushion. EG with 28 points, a season high for 2nd straight game.
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) February 4, 2023
Three consecutive 20+ point games for Eric Gordon a week before the trade deadline
— Rob Kimbell (@RobKSports) February 4, 2023
Of course Jabari makes that one 😂 good to see him knock down a couple tonight
— Abel (@AbelGe87) February 4, 2023
Final: Rockets 111, Raptors 1117.
Fred VanVleet scored game-high 32 pts.
Eric Gordon led Rockets w/ 28 pts.
Neither guy hurt their trade value tonight.
Rockets now 13-39 this season.
— Kris M Gardner (@TheHRReview) February 4, 2023
I asked Eric Gordon how he feels physically after hitting his career for a third straight game: "This is definitely where I want to be (physically). I always want to play well always and want to see the team do well, andI just wanted to continue playing at a high level."
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 4, 2023
