Jabari Smith Jr. contributed 21 points and 11 rebounds, with Fred VanVleet adding 20 points as the Houston Rockets defeated the Charlotte Hornets 114-101 on Monday night for their third consecutive victory. Amen Thompson also played a crucial role with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Cam Whitmore provided 17 points off the bench for the Rockets. Establishing a commanding 34-point lead in the second half, Houston showcased an impressive display led by their youthful core of players.
Miles Bridges led the scoring for the Hornets with 24 points, followed closely by LaMelo Ball who added 23 points. Unfortunately for the Hornets, this loss marked their 13th defeat in the last 14 games. The Rockets established dominance early on, limiting Charlotte to just 15 points in the first quarter and holding them to a 1-for-11 shooting performance from beyond the arc. Houston extended their lead to 62-31 by halftime, with VanVleet sinking a crucial 3-pointer just before the buzzer sounded. The Hornets faced a disheartening response from their home crowd as they walked off the court at halftime, greeted with a chorus of boos.
In terms of performance highlights, the Rockets notably outrebounded the Hornets 25-14 in the first half, showcasing their dominance on the boards. A standout sequence saw Houston securing multiple offensive rebounds in a single possession, culminating in three 3-point attempts. However, the game was not without its controversies, as Aaron Holliday was ejected from the game for disputing calls with officials after only three minutes of play.
On the Hornets’ side, their struggles from beyond the arc were evident in the first half, shooting a mere 2 of 20. While Houston’s defense played a part in this statistic, Charlotte also failed to capitalize on open shooting opportunities. The pivotal moment of the game came early in the fourth quarter when Thompson exhibited a spectacular play by driving the length of the court, evading Bridges in the lane, and finishing with an emphatic two-handed dunk.
A key statistical advantage for the Rockets was their dominance on the boards, outrebounding the Hornets 59-44 by the end of the game. Looking ahead, both teams will be hitting the road for their next matchups on Thursday night, with the Rockets traveling to New Orleans and the Hornets visiting Washington.
