Rockets blast Spurs as Dillon Brooks (five 3-pointers) extends career shooting year
HOUSTON -- The Rockets wrapped up a home back-to-back at Toyota Center with Wednesday's dominant 118-106 victory (box score) over the San Antonio Spurs.
With the win, Houston (37-22) improved to 20-9 at home and moved up to No. 4 in the Western Conference standings. San Antonio (24-32), which cut into the final margin in the fourth quarter after trailing by as many as 28 points, is third-to-last among 15 West teams.
It was a balanced effort for the Rockets, who led comfortably throughout while overcoming a recent trend of subpar performances on night two of back-to-backs.
Individual statistics of note included:
Amen Thompson: 25 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists; 12-of-15 shooting (80.0%)
Jalen Green: 21 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists; 9-of-17 shooting (52.9%), 3-of-8 on 3-pointers (37.5%)
Dillon Brooks: 19 points, 4 rebounds; 5-of-8 on 3-pointers (62.5%)
Jabari Smith Jr.: 9 points, 10 rebounds
Alperen Sengun: 9 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists
Jeff Green: 13 points, 3 rebounds in 20 minutes; 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%)
Keldon Johnson (Spurs): 22 points, 5 rebounds; 8-of-13 shooting (61.5%), 6-of-6 on free throws
Stephon Castle (Spurs): 22 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals; 9-of-22 shooting (40.9%), 1-of-7 on 3-pointers (14.3%)
Brooks is now shooting a career-high 39.6% on 3-pointers this season, all on a career-leading volume of 6.1 attempts per game.
Fred VanVleet (right ankle strain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management on half of back-to-backs) were unavailable for the Rockets. Eason is expected to return when Houston resumes its schedule Saturday, while VanVleet's status for that game is not yet confirmed.
The Spurs were without young superstar Victor Wembanyama, who is out for the remainder of the NBA's 2024-25 season with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
Houston is now 5-2 after a six-game losing streak in early February. After losing the rebounding battle by 17 in last Saturday's loss at Utah, the Rockets were +16 on the glass during Tuesday's victory over Milwaukee and +19 (60-41) in Wednesday's dominant win against the Spurs.
Ime Udoka tells ESPN that Fred VanVleet should be "good to go" when the Rockets resume play Saturday vs. Sacramento
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 27, 2025
ESPN's Brian Windhorst: "Let's give some love to Jalen Green."Chiney: "Put some respect on his name. They're fourth in the West, and he's their leading scorer."Richard Jefferson: "He should be a candidate for the NBA's Most Improved Player."
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 27, 2025
More Jay Bilas on Jalen Green: "He is so confident right now, taking on playmaking responsibilities in addition to scoring. He was GREAT in that game against Minnesota."
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 27, 2025
Feel like Jalen Green has been very good tonight as the PG and with play creation. Making the right passes and reads. #Rockets
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) February 27, 2025
Your friendly reminder that Dillon Brooks — with 5 3s tonight — is shooting a career high 39 percent from deep on six attempts per. Remarkable turnaround for someone who was essentially run out of Memphis just a few seasons ago.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) February 27, 2025
Amen Thompson putting on a footwork CLINIC 🔥📺 HOU leads on ESPN pic.twitter.com/2BOQRSjoxX
— NBA (@NBA) February 27, 2025
Amen Thompson is so quick and explosive in transition with no one between him and the basket, but underrated is how he can operate in tight spaces when there's a crowd under the basket. His bag is deep.
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) February 27, 2025
Dillon Brooks is now shooting a career-high 39.6% on 3-pointers, all on a career-high volume of 6.1 attempts per game
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) February 27, 2025
"Shoutout a legend, Hakeem!" 🗣️Amen with a nod to the 🐐 pic.twitter.com/ef0mS1G2hX
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) February 27, 2025
#Rockets beat San Antonio 118-106Amen Thompson🚀25 PTS🚀9 REB🚀5 AST🚀2 BLK@HoustonRockets I #Liftoff pic.twitter.com/k17Frsa2tw
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) February 27, 2025
#Rockets beat the Spurs 118-106Dillon Brooks 🏀19 PTS🏀5-8 3PT🏀@HoustonRockets I #Liftoff pic.twitter.com/4PB30lMI8M
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) February 27, 2025
FYI, Ime Udoka said Cam Whitmore's decreased minutes are due to Jabari Smith Jr. coming back.'There's not a ton of minutes, just like at the start of the season, for all the wings. Like I said, depth is a really good problem but people are gonna get squeezed out for sure.'
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) February 27, 2025
The Rockets will wrap up a three-game homestand when the Sacramento Kings (30-28) visit on Saturday night. Tipoff from Toyota Center is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central.
More: Rockets 100, Bucks 97: In gritty win, Houston draws postgame praise for defense, culture
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets blast Spurs as Dillon Brooks improves on career shooting year
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