Jalen Green scored 37 in the Rockets' 135-119 win over the Wizards

POSTED: March 14, 2024 -- 11:25 p.m. CT

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets ran by the Washington Wizards 135-119 Thursday night. Jalen Green scored a season-high 37 points on 15 for 23 fgs.

Houston has won six of its past seven games, including four in a row.

"I think we've been playing really good," Green said after the game. "Defense has been our main priority because we're very talented offensively when we get out in transition and run."

Houston (31-35) led 33-31 at the end of the first quarter before erupting for 42 points in the second quarter. The Rockets led by as much as 22 points (74-52) in the second period and led by 19 (75-56) at halftime.

"Really, that second quarter won it for us," Ime Udoka, Rockets Head Coach said during his postgame media session. "And, we got a bunch of stops."

Houston made 29 of 43 field goal attempts (67.4 fg%) in the first half and continued the hot shooting in the third quarter making 14 of 23 attempts (60.9 fg%). However, Houston's defense was not as sharp in the third stanza as the Wizards only missed 8 shots out of 24 tries (66.7 fg%).

Washington (11-55) outscored Houston 39-35 in the third quarter; but, Houston led 110-95 after 36 minutes.

The Wizards pulled within 11 points (112-101) with 10:16 to go in the 4th quarter. However, Washington did not take advantage when the Rockets 5 consecutive field goal attempts. Washington missed 4 straight shots before Jalen Green swished a 3 to end Houston's field goal drought of nearly 2 minutes.

"We made a good push," Wizards Coach Brian Keefe said after the game. "We had a shot that would've cut it to eight in the fourth quarter."

After Green's 3-point basket, Houston's lead grew to as much as 21 (133-112) before winning the game 135-119.

The Rockets shot a season-high 59.3% from the floor, including 42.9% from 3-point range. Houston has outshot its opponent in four of the past six games after not doing so in any of the nine games prior.

Green's 37 points led 6 Rockets' players -- including all five starters -- in double-digit scoring. Fred VanVleet had 27 points and 9 assists.

Rockets' rookie Amen Thompson scored 12 of his 20 points in the first quarter. Thompson added 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals.

Jabari Smith Jr scored 16 points; Dillon Brooks scored 13; and Jock Landale scored his season-high 13 points off the bench.

NOTES:

Over the past three games, Jock Landale is averaging 11.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg and 3.3 rpg in 23.3 mpg while shooting 70.6% from the floor.

In eight games as a starter, Amen Thompson is averaging 12.6 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 3.9 apg and 1.8 spg while shooting 62.5% from the floor.

Over the past eight games, Fred VanVleet is averaging 21.1 ppg and 8.6 apg after averaging 13.0 ppg and 6.3 apg his previous 15 games played.

Jalen Green hit 5 3-pointers tonight and is averaging 3.1 3FGM on 37.0% shooting over the past 11 games after averaging 1.0 on 17.4% shooting the eight games prior.

NEXT:

The Rockets' next game is Saturday, March 16, at home, against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tip is set for 4 p.m. Central Time.

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