Donovan Mitchell sets the tone from the first seconds by scoring 8 points in less than two minutes. It is a little passenger stroke since the rockets and the riders will then exchange the baskets in this first quarter, with an advantage for the second (37-33).
Georges Niang's 3-PTS shots do good to keep Cleveland in the race because with Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green, the Texans dominate. They put pressure on Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland as soon as you put them into play, to cut them from the attack. It works pretty well, given the score at the break (54-68).
In the third quarter, the troops of Ime Udoka insist inside with Alperen Sengun. The Turk weighs but does not always make the right choices, nor does not take the right shots, sometimes at 3-PTS, and the ball circulates less.
“Hack-A-Adams”
Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland take the opportunity to relaunch the riders, who try their area defense so effective to return, but also a “hack-a-adds” by sending the pivot of Houston voluntarily to the free throws. Steven Adams is skillful in the exercise, and Kenny Atkinson's men are therefore punished. Jalen Green concludes this good quarter with a 3-PTS shoot, the gap is clear (84-101).
Clearly, and unlike the last time, the area does not work. Houston manages to attack it properly and it is above all the offensive wishes of the Mitchell – Garland duo who will allow you to come back. But the Rockets are solid and with an offensive rebound transformed into a Dunk of Amen Thompson, which then marks two free throws, plus an important shoot failed by Mitchell, they keep their lead and win in Ohio 131-135.
-What to remember
– a bit the same match in the start of the week. Houston who dominates the debates, then vacillates last quarter in front of a team that makes a big effort, but which ultimately gets out. It was generally the scenario of Wednesday evening match, played in Houston. It can also be applied to this meeting. Jalen Green and his teammates deserved their victory, as they were so solid throughout the game, resisting the defenses and tactics of the horsemen. Even if the last seconds were tense, they never let go of their advance. A new victory of character.
– Steven Adams, symbol of good second Texans knives. This time, it was not Cam Whitmore who brought her spark out of the bench, but the pivot. In addition to his good visit to the free throw line in the third quarter (6/7) to break the strategy of the riders, it was fair and effective with 14 points and 4 rebounds in 14 minutes! By making less noise than usual, Amen Thompson made a huge match with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 10 passes. And even Dillon Brooks was good, with his 13 points, all scored in the first period. The second knives of the Rockets were present to help the Trio Fred Vanvleet – Jalen Green – Alperen Sengun, which compiled 72 points.
– Cleveland loses its head. With four defeats in six matches, including three in a row, the riders are experiencing their first stroke less well of the season. Mitchell's partners thus abandon the 1st place of the NBA in the Thunder.
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How to read the stats? Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; O = offensive rebound; D = defensive rebound; T = total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; +/- = Differential points when the player is on the field; Pts = points; EVAL: evaluation of the player calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
