Game ID: 22400267
Portland Trail Blazers @ Houston Rockets
Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 8:00 PM ET
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
HOU 21 29 21 27 98POR 26 26 21 31 104
HOU vs POR ScoutingHOU vs POR Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
HOU availability going into 11/17 · 1 day's restOUT Whitmore missed 5 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 13 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Jef. Green missed 4 since 11/10, returns tonight: 13 min (115% of 12)
HOU availability going into 11/18 · back-to-backOUT Whitmore missed 6 since 11/08, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 14 since 10/23, out tonight
BACK Jef. Green back 11/17 after 4, 13 min since (115% of 12)
HOU availability going into 11/20 · 1 day's restOUT Whitmore missed 7 since 11/08, returns tonight: 5 min (34% of 15)
OUT Dante missed 15 since 10/23, out tonight
BACK Jef. Green back 11/17 after 4, 8 min since (68% of 12)
HOU availability going into 11/22 · 1 day's restOUT Dante missed 16 since 10/23, out tonight
BACK Whitmore back 11/20 after 7, 5 min since (34% of 15)
BACK Jef. Green back 11/17 after 4, 7 min since (59% of 12)
HOU availability going into 11/23 · back-to-backOUT Dante missed 17 since 10/23, out tonight
BACK Whitmore back 11/20 after 7, 5 min since (34% of 15)
BACK Jef. Green back 11/17 after 4, 7 min since (60% of 12)
HOU availability going into 11/26 · 2 days' restOUT Whitmore missed 2 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 18 since 10/23, out tonight
BACK Jef. Green back 11/17 after 4, 7 min since (60% of 12)
HOU availability going into 11/27 · back-to-backOUT Whitmore missed 3 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Adams missed 2 since 11/23, returns tonight: 7 min (47% of 15)
OUT Dante missed 19 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Holiday missed 2 since 11/23, returns tonight: 6 min (46% of 13)
OUT Jef. Green missed 2 since 11/23, out tonight
OUT Tate missed 2 since 11/23, out tonight
HOU availability going into 12/01 · 3 days' restOUT Whitmore missed 4 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 20 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Jef. Green missed 3 since 11/23, out tonight
OUT Tate missed 3 since 11/23, out tonight
BACK Adams back 11/27 after 2, 7 min since (47% of 15)
BACK Holiday back 11/27 after 2, 6 min since (46% of 13)
HOU availability going into 12/03 · 1 day's restOUT Whitmore missed 5 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Dante missed 21 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Landale missed 2 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Jef. Green missed 4 since 11/23, out tonight
OUT Tate missed 4 since 11/23, returns tonight: 2 min (17% of 11)
BACK Adams back 11/27 after 2, 5 min since (35% of 15)
BACK Holiday back 11/27 after 2, 6 min since (46% of 13)
POR availability going into 11/13 · back-to-backOUT Thybulle missed 12 since 10/23, out tonight
BACK Sharpe back 11/07 after 8, 23 min since (74% of 31)
BACK Williams III back 11/08 after 9, 18 min since (102% of 18)
BACK Reath back 11/07 after 2, 3 min since (28% of 10)
POR availability going into 11/17 · 3 days' restOUT Ayton missed 2 since 11/12, out tonight
OUT Thybulle missed 13 since 10/23, out tonight
BACK Sharpe back 11/07 after 8, 26 min since (83% of 31)
BACK Williams III back 11/08 after 9, 18 min since (102% of 18)
BACK Reath back 11/07 after 2, 4 min since (44% of 10)
POR availability going into 11/20 · 2 days' restOUT Simons missed 2 since 11/13, out tonight
OUT Ayton missed 3 since 11/12, out tonight
OUT Thybulle missed 14 since 10/23, out tonight
BACK Williams III back 11/08 after 9, 20 min since (112% of 18)
POR availability going into 11/22 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 3 since 11/13, returns tonight: 22 min (66% of 33)
OUT Ayton missed 4 since 11/12, out tonight
OUT Thybulle missed 15 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Walker missed 2 since 11/17, returns tonight: 12 min (96% of 12)
OUT Reath missed 2 since 11/17, returns tonight: 12 min (115% of 10)
NEW Banton 17 to 24 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 11/23 · back-to-backOUT Ayton missed 5 since 11/12, out tonight
OUT Thybulle missed 16 since 10/23, out tonight
BACK Simons back 11/22 after 3, 22 min since (66% of 33)
BACK Walker back 11/22 after 2, 12 min since (96% of 12)
BACK Reath back 11/22 after 2, 12 min since (115% of 10)
NEW Williams III 18 to 23 min over the last 4
NEW Banton 17 to 22 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 11/25 · 1 day's restOUT Ayton missed 6 since 11/12, out tonight
OUT Henderson missed 2 since 11/22, out tonight
OUT Thybulle missed 17 since 10/23, out tonight
BACK Simons back 11/22 after 3, 29 min since (90% of 33)
BACK Walker back 11/22 after 2, 12 min since (96% of 12)
BACK Reath back 11/22 after 2, 8 min since (81% of 10)
NEW Banton 17 to 22 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 11/27 · 1 day's restOUT Ayton missed 7 since 11/12, returns tonight: 34 min (112% of 30)
OUT Henderson missed 3 since 11/22, returns tonight: 35 min (133% of 27)
OUT Thybulle missed 18 since 10/23, out tonight
BACK Simons back 11/22 after 3, 30 min since (90% of 33)
BACK Walker back 11/22 after 2, 17 min since (138% of 12)
BACK Reath back 11/22 after 2, 7 min since (70% of 10)
NEW Banton 17 to 22 min over the last 5
POR availability going into 11/29 · 1 day's restOUT Thybulle missed 19 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Clingan missed 2 since 11/25, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 2 since 11/25, returns tonight: 16 min (104% of 15)
BACK Simons back 11/22 after 3, 32 min since (97% of 33)
BACK Ayton back 11/27 after 7, 34 min since (112% of 30)
BACK Henderson back 11/27 after 3, 35 min since (133% of 27)
BACK Walker back 11/22 after 2, 15 min since (121% of 12)
BACK Reath back 11/22 after 2, 7 min since (70% of 10)
POR availability going into 12/01 · 1 day's restOUT Grant missed 2 since 11/27, returns tonight: 38 min (116% of 32)
OUT Thybulle missed 20 since 10/23, out tonight
OUT Clingan missed 3 since 11/25, out tonight
OUT Williams III missed 2 since 11/27, out tonight
BACK Simons back 11/22 after 3, 33 min since (102% of 33)
BACK Ayton back 11/27 after 7, 37 min since (124% of 30)
BACK Henderson back 11/27 after 3, 35 min since (133% of 27)
BACK Murray back 11/29 after 2, 16 min since (104% of 15)
BACK Walker back 11/22 after 2, 14 min since (110% of 12)
BACK Reath back 11/22 after 2, 6 min since (59% of 10)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 103, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; Sengun at 20 and VanVleet at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 108, shooting 43 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Sharpe at 23 and Avdija at 12 a game. Without Ayton (5 straight), Thybulle (16 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Portland giving it away 20 times a game to Houston's 13 and the glass, where Houston has been plus-9 a night and Portland plus-1. Call it Houston 116, Portland 104, Houston by 12.
11/17 @ CHI 143-107 — HOU notes
HOU won 143-107. HOU shot 52% (55 of 105) to CHI's 34%, 10 of 34 from three, and went to the line 32 times to CHI's 22 — 23 points from the stripe to their 21. The glass went 66-47 for them. VanVleet led with 28 (10 of 16, 3 of 6 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Sengun added 20, Ja. Green 18. The hinge was Q2, 41-26: a lead of 1 became 16, and the lead reached 39. Sengun was the night's best plus/minus at +35.
11/18 @ MIL 100-101 — HOU notes
HOU lost 100-101. HOU took 17 more shots (100 to 83), fed by 16 offensive rebounds, but shot 40% to MIL's 46%, 9 of 32 from three, and got to the line 13 times to MIL's 19. The glass went 53-43 for them. VanVleet led with 26 (9 of 23, 3 of 11 from three); Ja. Green added 21, Sengun 18. Q3 was theirs, 35-26, the deficit cut from 12 to 3, but the other 3 periods went 75-65 against them. They led by as many as 13.
11/20 vs IND 130-113 — HOU notes
HOU won 130-113. HOU shot 46% (47 of 102) to IND's 53%, 12 of 36 from three, and went to the line 33 times to IND's 25 — 24 points from the stripe to their 20. HOU turned it over 13 times to IND's 23. The glass went 47-36 for them. Sengun led with 31 (12 of 19, 6 of 8 at the line); Smith Jr. added 23, VanVleet 18. The hinge was Q3, 36-24: a lead of 9 became 21, and the lead reached 24. VanVleet was the night's best plus/minus at +30.
11/22 vs POR 116-88 — HOU notes
HOU won 116-88. HOU shot 45% (42 of 93) to POR's 33%, 15 of 39 from three. Brooks led with 28 (10 of 15, 6 of 8 from three); Eason added 22, Ja. Green 17. The hinge was Q1, 31-20: from level to 11 ahead, and the lead reached 28. Eason was the night's best plus/minus at +33.
11/23 vs POR 98-104 — HOU notes
HOU lost 98-104. HOU shot 36% (32 of 90) to POR's 38%, 8 of 32 from three, and went to the line 33 times to POR's 23 — 26 points from the stripe to their 18. HOU turned it over 9 times to POR's 16. The glass went 43-53 against them. Sengun led with 22 (7 of 17, 8 of 11 at the line); Thompson added 19, Smith Jr. 14. Q2 was theirs, 29-26, the deficit cut from 5 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 78-69 against them. Green's -8 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/26 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 113, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; Edwards at 28 and Randle at 25 a game. Without Conley (2 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 103, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 27 free throws a game; Sengun at 21 and VanVleet at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Whitmore (2 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-7 a night and Minnesota minus-4 and the defense, Houston allowing 103 a night to Minnesota's 113. Call it Houston 113, Minnesota 109, Minnesota keeping it close.
11/27 @ PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 109, shooting 42 percent and 30 from three, 21 free throws a game; McCain at 23 and Embiid at 22 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without George (2 straight), Embiid (2 straight), Lowry (3 straight). 2 days' rest. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 103, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; Sengun at 21 and VanVleet at 16 a game. Without Whitmore (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-2 a night and Philadelphia minus-5. Call it Houston 110, Philadelphia 105.
12/01 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 106, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 28 free throws a game; Sengun at 22 and Green at 18 a game. Without Whitmore (4 straight). 3 days' rest. OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 102, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 19 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 34 and Jal. Williams at 23 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Holmgren (9 straight), Caruso (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the line, where Houston takes 28 free throws a game to OKC's 19. Call it Houston 110, OKC 108, OKC keeping it close.
12/03 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 117, shooting 47 percent and 33 from three, 24 free throws a game; DeRozan at 25 and Fox at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Lyles (3 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 107, shooting 43 percent and 35 from three, 30 free throws a game; Sengun at 20 and VanVleet at 18 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Whitmore (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 107 a night to Sacramento's 117 and the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-6 a night and Houston plus-0. Call it Houston 114, Sacramento 111, Sacramento keeping it close.
11/13 vs MIN 106-98 — POR notes
POR won 106-98. POR shot 46% (38 of 83) to MIN's 39%, 9 of 25 from three. POR turned it over 19 times to MIN's 13, and MIN turned those into 12 steals. Sharpe led with 33 (12 of 23, 3 of 10 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Clingan added 17, Banton 13. The hinge was Q2, 25-15: POR came in trailing by 10 and left it level. Banton was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
11/17 vs ATL 114-110 — POR notes
POR won 114-110. POR shot 46% (44 of 95) to ATL's 46%, 14 of 38 from three, and got to the line 19 times to ATL's 25. POR turned it over 20 times to ATL's 25. Sharpe led with 32 (11 of 21, 3 of 8 from three, 7 of 12 at the line); Banton added 23, Williams III 14. The hinge was Q3, 38-17: POR came in trailing by 8 and left it ahead by 13. POR trailed 56-64 at the half and won the second half 58-46. Williams III was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
11/20 @ OKC 99-109 — POR notes
POR lost 99-109. POR shot 41% (32 of 79) to OKC's 44%, 15 of 38 from three. POR turned it over 22 times to OKC's 13, and OKC turned those into 14 steals. Sharpe led with 21 (6 of 16, 4 of 8 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Grant added 14, Camara 14. Q1 was theirs, 23-21, but the other 3 periods went 88-76 against them. They led by as many as 10. Williams III's -15 in 24 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/22 @ HOU 88-116 — POR notes
POR lost 88-116. POR shot 33% (30 of 91) to HOU's 45%, 11 of 43 from three. Avdija led with 13 (4 of 9, 1 of 3 from three); Sharpe added 13, Camara 11. Q3 was theirs, 28-31, but the other 3 periods went 85-60 against them. Murray's -22 in 24 minutes was the worst on the floor.
11/23 @ HOU 104-98 — POR notes
POR won 104-98. POR shot 38% (34 of 90) to HOU's 36%, 18 of 44 from three, and got to the line 23 times to HOU's 33. POR turned it over 16 times to HOU's 9, and HOU turned those into 8 steals. The glass went 53-43 for them. Simons led with 25 (10 of 20, 4 of 11 from three); Sharpe added 24, Grant 22. The hinge was Q1, 26-21: from level to 5 ahead. Simons was the night's best plus/minus at +8.
11/25 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Memphis comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 115, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 22 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 24 and Wells at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Morant (8 straight), Edey (3 straight), Smart (4 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 106, shooting 41 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Sharpe at 25 and Avdija at 12 a game. Without Ayton (6 straight), Henderson (2 straight), Thybulle (17 straight). One day's rest.
So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the defense, Portland allowing 106 a night to Memphis's 115 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 19 times a game to Memphis's 16. Call it Memphis 116, Portland 108.
11/27 @ IND — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Indiana comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 120, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 23 free throws a game; Siakam at 21 and Haliburton at 19 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Nembhard (10 straight), Nesmith (12 straight), Sheppard (5 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 111, shooting 38 percent and 32 from three, 24 free throws a game; Sharpe at 21 and Avdija at 14 a game. Without Ayton (7 straight), Henderson (3 straight), Thybulle (18 straight). One day's rest.
So: Indiana wins, and the game turns on the defense, Portland allowing 111 a night to Indiana's 120 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 18 times a game to Indiana's 14. Call it Indiana 115, Portland 110.
11/29 vs SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 113, shooting 39 percent and 33 from three, 24 free throws a game; Sharpe at 18 and Simons at 17 a game. Without Thybulle (19 straight), Clingan (2 straight), Murray (2 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 22 free throws a game; Fox at 26 and DeRozan at 21 a game. One day's rest.
So: Sacramento wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-3 a night and Portland minus-4. Call it Sacramento 110, Portland 109, Portland keeping it close.
12/01 vs DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 113, shooting 41 percent and 31 from three, 21 free throws a game; Simons at 18 and Sharpe at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Grant (2 straight), Thybulle (20 straight), Clingan (3 straight). One day's rest. Dallas comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 114, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Irving at 26 and Marshall at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Dončić (5 straight), Thompson (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Dallas wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Dallas has been plus-4 a night and Portland minus-4 and the arc, Dallas at 39 percent from three to Portland's 31. Call it Dallas 114, Portland 111, Portland keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
HOUAS A. Sengun
AT A. Thompson
DB D. Brooks
FV F. VanVleet
JG J. Green
JL J. Landale
JS J. Smith Jr.
JG Ja. Green
RS R. Sheppard
TE T. Eason
PORAS A. Simons
DA D. Avdija
DB D. Banton
DC D. Clingan
DR D. Reath
JG J. Grant
KM K. Murray
RR R. Rupert
SS S. Sharpe
TC T. Camara
HOU/POR the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Simons scores 25, Sharpe adds 24 as Trail Blazers bounce back with 104-98 win over Rockets
HOUSTON -- — Anfernee Simons scored 25 points and Shaedon Sharpe added 24 as the Portland Trail Blazers bounced back from a tough loss with a 104-98 win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night.
The victory came after Portland was blown out 116-88 by the Rockets in an NBA Cup game Friday night.
The Trail Blazers led by three late before Alperen Sengun cut the lead to 99-98 on a shot in the paint with 21 seconds left.
Portland got two free throws apiece from Deni Avdija and Sharpe to make it 103-98 with 4.3 seconds remaining. Simons added another free throw after a technical foul on Fred Van Vleet to secure the win.
Houston’s Dillon Brooks and Sharpe had to be separated after they got tangled up fighting for a rebound with about two minutes left. Brooks had to be pulled away from Simons after Brooks took issue with Simons pushing him away from the fray.
Sharpe was called for a loose ball foul on the play and Simons and Brooks both received technical fouls.
Sengun had 22 points and Amen Thompson added 19 points off the bench for the Rockets.
Takeaways Trail Blazers: They showed grit in putting Friday’s loss behind them and moving quickly to snap a two-game skid.
Rockets: Houston needs to play more consistently after a poor offensive showing Saturday night a game after Friday’s big offensive outing when the team made 15 3-pointers.
Key moment Simons scored five quick points to make it 99-96 with less than 30 seconds to go, putting the Trail Blazers on top for good. He made a layup before hitting a 3-pointer after a block by Avdija.
Key stat The Blazers made 18 of 44 3-pointers and Houston managed just 8 of 32 attempts with Jalen Green going 1 for 9.
Up next The Trail Blazers visit Memphis on Monday night and the Rockets visit Minnesota on Tuesday night.