Rockets ignite for 140 points, overpowering Portland's defense. Durant leads scoring spree, while multiple Rockets drop double digits in decisive NBA Cup victory.
The Rockets graduated to 8-3 on Thursday after torching the Portland Trail Blazers 140-116 at home in an exciting and eventful NBA Cup game two. Houston came in as the deeper, sharper, more physical team. TheTrail Blazers defense has proven capable this season, but dropped the ball this time. Even with Tari Eason leaving early due to injury, the Rockets didn’t lose their edge for a second.
These two teams love to push the pace and play fast ball- the first quarter started with a 16-7 Trail Blazers lead, but the Rockets wasted no time in dismantling their momentum. Kevin Durant caught fire, dropping 16 quick points of his 23 for the night. He went 12-for-19 shooting in 35 minutes, including sinking three from deep and an insane +37.
Portland had flashes- Deni Avdija put up 22 points and ten rebounds, but tacked seven turnovers onto the Trail Blazers box score. Shaedon Sharpe contributed 19 points and eight rebounds, but it was obvious that Portland struggled to find rhythm as a unit- the chemistry just didn’t seem to be there, and they relied on these two to carry the offense.
The Trail Blazers were outmatched everywhere, especially on defense, and turned the ball over 20 times, 16 of which were Rockets steals, while only forcing 6 on Houston.
It wasn’t just Durant giving Portland trouble. The scoring was spread across the board with seven Rockets contributing double digits. Alperen Şengün had one of his best nights of the season, booking his seventh double-double- nearly a triple with nine assists. He shot with remarkable control, going 9-for-16 from the field and 4-for-6 from outside. And he was everywhere- controlling the paint, initiating offense, and nabbing defensive rebounds.
Riding the same wave, Jabari Smith Jr. Smith added 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting with four smooth threes.
Houston stayed dominant even after losing Eason early. Eason left after just 10 minutes of play, finishing 1-for-6 with three rebounds and a steal before exiting with what looked like a hip issue. With him out, the Rockets’ rotation tightened, but the second unit didn’t hesitate. Sheppard looked cool, calm, and collected again this game, contributing four steals and 13 points, including three quick release triples, while Holiday poised 10 points of his own.
All in all, the Rockets did what the Rockets do. They controlled the boards, dominated in the paint and kicked out to any one of their elite shooters after forcing the Trail Blazers’ defense to collapse. The only cloud hanging over the win is Eason’s injury, but the Rockets looked every bit like the confident, connected group that’s been building momentum all month.