Rockets lose 99-91 to Pacers after leading by as much as 20 in the game

POSTED: November 19, 2022 -- 8:20 a.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets followed up Wednesday's 101-92 road win at Dallas with a 99-91 home loss to Indiana Pacers Friday night. Houston led 25-10 at the end of the first quarter and 30-10 in the second quarter only to see the Pacers erase the deficit and pick up the victory.

Houston lost despite holding Indiana to a season-low 99 points. The Pacers entered the game ranked third in the league in scoring with 117.9 points per game, including 122.8 points per game over their past four games.

"We played more than good enough defense," Stephen Silas, Rockets Head Coach said after the game.

Houston (3-13) was led by Eric Gordon's 24 points. Gordon scored 19 points in the first half on 7 for 13 field goal shooting. Houston guard Kevin Porter Jr. missed the game due to a non-COVID illness. Porter's absence was felt when the Rockets' offense bogged down in the game.

"We just didn't score enough and get enough stops," Gordon said after the game.

Indiana (8-6) struggled big time in the first quarter to make shots. The Pacers shot 22.2 fg% (4 for 18) in the opening quarter while the Rockets made 9 of 17 attempts (47.4 fg%) to lead by as much as 19 (25-6) in the quarter.

The Rockets' lead grew to 20 (30-10) with 10:23 to go in the second quarter. Houston missed 15 of 22 field goal attempts the rest of the second quarter. The Rockets made only 5 of 18 shots in the paint in the quarter -- after making 7 of 13 attempts in the paint in the first quarter.

Houston's 20 point lead dwindled to 5 (50-45) at the half.

The Pacers tied the game at 63 and outscored the Rockets 26-20 in the third stanza to lead 71-20 after 36 minutes. Both teams took 21 shots in the third quarter and both shot poorly: Indiana made 8 baskets; Houston made 6.

Gordon scored a driving layup early in the fourth quarter to put the Rockets on top 75-74; however, Indiana guard Tyrese Haliburton completed a three-point play then sank a three-pointer followed by making 2 free throws to complete a personal 8-0 run. Houston trailed 81-75 after Haliburton's scoring burst.

"They (the Pacers) started knocking down shots," Gordon remarked. "And, we got a little discombobulated. And, they made a lot of big runs."

The Rockets did not closer than 5 points the rest of the game.

Houston finished the game shooting 33.7 fg% (29 for 86) including 6 for 28 (21.4 3pt%) from three-point range. The 6 made threes are a season-low.

"Our defense was pretty stout tonight," Coach Silas remarked. "But, again, it was just we couldn't score."

Jalen Green didn't shoot the ball well (2 for 10) from the floor; but, he scored 16 points and added 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Green did have 6 of Houston's 17 turnovers.

"We had control of the game early on," Gordon lamented. "And, when things ain't going your way, that's when you got to play more grind it out basketball. That's when you gotta play better defense."

NOTES:

Jalen Green has now recorded at least 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in four of the past five games after doing so five times prior in his career.

Indiana big man Jalen Smith had 10 points, a career-high 18 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks. Smith is the first player 22 or younger to have posted those numbers in game since Jusuf Nurkic in March of 2017.

NEXT:

The Rockets' next game is Sunday night, November 20, versus the Golden State Warriors. Tip is set for 6 p.m. Central Time.

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