TORONTO - The Houston Rockets achieved a hard-fought 114-110 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night, marking their first win in Toronto since 2019. This game saw several key players shine, particularly Dillon Brooks, who led the Rockets with 27 points and proved instrumental in the team's late-game surge.
The victory was not without its challenges; the Rockets found themselves down by as much as 16 points early on, struggling to adjust to the Raptors' fast start. Despite the early setback, the Rockets' determination shone through as they gradually clawed their way back throughout the game.
Brooks, who continues to establish himself as a pivotal player for Houston, demonstrated his composure and skill, particularly at the free-throw line where he made 13 of his 14 attempts. His performance followed another strong showing earlier in the week, and he has been consistently impactful whenever he scores over 18 points, evidenced by Houston's perfect record this season under such circumstances.
Jalen Green contributed significantly as well, adding 22 points and 7 rebounds. The duo of Brooks and Green energized the Rockets, showcasing their scoring capability and ability to impact the game on both sides of the court. Alperen Sengun also had a solid outing, finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds, ensuring Houston maintained balance among its core players.
Toronto, meanwhile, struggled to convert opportunities and maintain their lead. The Raptors had surged early, with rookie Ja'Kobe Walter scoring 14 points during the initial run, setting the tone for the first half. Walter ended the night with a career-high 27 points, showcasing the team's promising future, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
The Rockets’ defense, which ranks among the best in the league, clamped down after halftime, allowing them to take control of the game. Houston switched gears, outscoring Toronto 33-26 in the third quarter, with Brooks leading the charge.
Despite efforts to contain the Rockets, Toronto could not find their rhythm or considerable contributions from their key players. Fred VanVleet, returning to Toronto where he won the championship, struggled mightily, scoring only two points on one-of-ten shooting, missing many opportunities as he dealt with the pressure of returning to his old stomping grounds.
With the win, Houston improved to 19-9 on the season, solidifying their third-place position in the Western Conference and marking the first time they've held double-digit wins above .500 since the 2019-2020 season. The Rockets will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their upcoming game against the Charlotte Hornets.
Conversely, the Raptors' struggles continue, falling to 7-22 and extending their losing streak to seven games. The young team, which featured one of its most inexperienced starting lineups, showed flashes of potential but lacked cohesive execution, especially as the game wore on.
The last couple of minutes were marked by frantic exchanges of baskets, but the Rockets showed poise down the stretch. A key moment arrived when the Raptors had a chance to tie late but could not capitalize. Toronto's struggles were exacerbated by the absence of R.J. Barrett, who was sidelined due to illness, and the importance of seasoned players felt even greater as the young roster sought leadership.
Looking forward, both teams face quick turnarounds as they head to their next games. The Rockets face the Charlotte Hornets, hoping to extend their winning streak, whereas the Raptors will travel to New York to battle the Knicks, aiming to end their losing run. Both matches present opportunities for these teams to solidify their respective strategies and continue developing their talents.
This engaging battle not only highlighted the abilities of dynamic players like Brooks and Green for the Rockets but also the promising future of rookies like Walter for the Raptors. With the season moving forward, both teams will undoubtedly seek to refine their processes and build on the lessons learned from this contest.
