It seems counterintuitive to expect Houston to thrive offensively when Fred VanVleet, the Houston Rockets’ third-leading scorer, takes two shots and scores only two points like he did on Friday.
In their 116-88 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers — the first of back-to-back games between the teams with the second contest set for Saturday in Houston — the Rockets showcased the breadth of their depth. Houston shot 49.3 percent over the opening three quarters including 41.4 percent on 3-point attempts. The Rockets did this with VanVleet scoring only from the free-throw line.
Houston rolled to victory behind Dillon Brooks’ season-high 28 points and a 22-point performance from Tari Eason off the bench. Jalen Green (17 points), Alperen Sengun (14) and Amen Thompson (10) also scored in double figures for the Rockets, who had assisted on 21 of 34 field goals entering the final period.
The result came as no surprise. Seven players average double figures in scoring for Houston, led by Green (19.2 points per game) with Sengun close behind at 18.1 per game and VanVleet at 14.9. Brooks, Eason, Jabari Smith Jr. and Thompson round out the double-figure scorers.
VanVleet contributed a game-high eight assists in the win over Portland. That the Rockets didn’t miss his scoring speaks to their shared approach.
“That’s the goal and the hope for us to improve in that area,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “I keep talking about the Chicago game where it felt like everybody came in waves. I think we almost had seven guys in double figures at halftime. I think that’s when we’re at our best.
“Certain guys are going to get their sets and get their plays called but it still doesn’t mean it’s only a shot for you. Penetrate, drive-and-kick, find guys wide open and make the extra pass. I think we’re getting better at that. We are at our best when it’s equal opportunity and balanced and a lot of guys are doing a lot of different things.”
Portland was without Deandre Ayton (finger) and Scoot Henderson (thigh) and never could get its offense going. The Trail Blazers shot 33 percent, missed 32 of 43 3-point tries, and didn’t have a double-digit scorer until Shaedon Sharpe hit two free throws at the 7:34 mark of the third period.
By then, the Blazers trailed by 25 points, 79-54. Sharpe and Deni Avdija each scored 13 to lead Portland.
It marked a fifth consecutive loss with a double-digit margin. Facing the Rockets again 24 hours later doesn’t give Portland much time to regroup and lick its collective wounds.
“I definitely look forward to the challenge,” Portland coach Chauncey Billups said. “I said it before the game that this team (the Rockets), they’re playing as good as anybody in the league. They really are. They’re just scrappy. They play hard, similar to how we play. But they’re playing together every single night.
“We’ll sleep it off, we’ll talk about it, watch it and try it up again (Saturday).”
