Rockets listless in 124-105 loss to the Spurs

POSTED: December 19, 2022 -- 11:47 p.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets lost to the San Antonio Spurs 124-105 in a listless performance Monday night. The Rockets have lost 3 in a row and now own a 9-21 record this season.

San Antonio's 124 points came from a season-high tying 55.4 fg% shooting.

Houston has lost three in a row after winning three of its previous four games while San Antonio improves to 4-2 over its past six games after losing 11 straight prior.

The Spurs (10-20) scored the first 6 points of the game. San Antonio's Devin Vassell scored five of the six points to set the tone. Vassell finished the game with a game-high 26 points on 10 for 17 field goal shooting including 5 for 8 three-pointers.

Vassell knocked down a second three-pointer during a 10-6 spurt to stretch San Antonio's lead to 16-6 with 8:16 left in the quarter. Houston (9-21) stayed close to San Antonio thanks to Alperen Sengun and plenty of Spurs' fouls.

The Spurs picked up 8 fouls in the first quarter. Sengun and Rockets' guard Kevin Porter Jr each scored 8 points in the first period. However, KPJ picked up his third foul with plus minutes remaining in the first period.

Daishen Nix replaced Porter and had his best game of the season. Nix dished out 7 assists in the first half and helped the Rockets turn a 35-28 deficit at end of the first quarter to a 62-60 lead at the half.

The Spurs committed 8 turnovers in the second quarter (13 in the first half) which helped the Rockets outscore the Spurs 11-2 in points off turnovers in the quarter and 34-25 overall in the second period.

Similar to Saturday's struggles in the third quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Rockets scored just 14 points in the third quarter Monday night.

A great example of the Rockets' lack of aggression, focus, effort happened in the third quarter when Kevin Porter Jr scored a driving layup and San Antonio quickly inbounded the ball and guard Tre Jones raced up the court for an unchallenged layup. Six seconds after Porter's layup.

"That's who we were tonight," Stephen Silas, Rockets Head Coach commented after the game. "And, that's not who we should be."

The Rockets missed 19 field goal attempts (made 5) in the third quarter while the Spurs connected on 11 of 16 field goal attempts -- including 5 for 7 threes -- in third quarter. The Rockets were outscored 32-14 in the quarter and trailed 92-76 after 3 quarters.

Houston trailed by as much as 26 points in the fourth quarter and never got closer than 16 the final 12 minutes of the game.

After the game, Kevin Porter Jr was asked what led to the Rockets' reaction / frustration after so many missed shots.

""It's the holidays, family and everything,". Porter answered. "It's just outside frustration probably getting in and that's with everyone."

Jalen Green added, "I think the ball got stagnant again. I think people were trying to do it on their own. Just as a team, we weren't moving the ball.

"We ain't be playing like ourselves for like the last two or 3 games," Green continued. "We just need to get back to what's worked. Just play together. Play hard. I feel like a broken record. But, same thing I've been saying."

NEXT:

The Rockets' next game is Wednesday night, December 21, at home versus the Orlando Magic. Tip is set for 7 p.m. Central Time.

NOTES:

Alperen Sengun had 22 points on 8-of-10 shooting in 24 minutes of play. It's his fifth 20-point game of the season and his first since having 21 vs. Oklahoma City on 11/26. Tonight marks the fewest minutes he has played while scoring 20+ points (previously 26).

Daishen Nix had a career-high 9 assists and a career-high tying 3 steals with 2 turnovers. In eight games played this month, he is averaging 4.1 apg and 1.13 spg in 16.9 mpg with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.75.

Nix said, "I was playing more aggressive. Being more aggressive tonight."

Support The HRR

CLICK HERE for The HRR's Rockets' write-ups.