Trail Blazers Bounce Back with 104-98 Win Over Rockets
By Jason Roberts, NBA Analyst
Introduction
On November 23, 2024, the Portland Trail Blazers faced off against the Houston Rockets in a thrilling rematch that left fans on the edge of their seats. Following a tough loss to the Rockets earlier in an NBA Cup game, the Trail Blazers were determined to make a statement this time around—and they did just that with a 104-98 victory. The win underscored Portland’s resilience, while Houston struggled to maintain their recent momentum.
Game Highlights
The Trail Blazers were led by Anfernee Simons, who delivered a stellar performance with 25 points, including a clutch 15 in the final quarter. Shaedon Sharpe complemented Simons’ performance with 24 points of his own, showcasing his continued development as a key contributor.
On the Rockets’ side, Alperen Sengun had an impressive game, leading Houston with 22 points. Meanwhile, rookie sensation Amen Thompson provided a significant spark off the bench with 19 points, further cementing his role as an integral part of the team’s future.
Key Moments
The game remained tightly contested until the final moments. Portland iced the game with a composed effort at the free-throw line, where Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe sank crucial shots in the closing seconds. Adding to the drama, a technical foul called on Fred Van Vleet tilted the scales further in the Trail Blazers’ favor.
One of the game’s most memorable moments came during a heated exchange between Dillon Brooks and Shaedon Sharpe. The two players had to be separated after a physical altercation over a rebound, reflecting the intensity of the matchup.
Team Performance
The Trail Blazers' lethal 3-point shooting was a decisive factor, with the team connecting on 18 of their 44 attempts from beyond the arc. In contrast, Houston struggled from deep, going only 8 for 32. This disparity in long-range efficiency proved to be the difference-maker in the closely contested game.
Despite the Rockets’ solid individual performances from players like Sengun and Thompson, the team struggled with consistency throughout the game. Meanwhile, Portland demonstrated poise, bouncing back from their earlier loss with renewed focus and determination.
Conclusion
With this hard-fought victory, the Trail Blazers improved to 7-10 on the season, while the Rockets dropped to 12-6. This result not only highlighted Portland's resilience but also served as a reminder of the unpredictability of NBA matchups.
Looking ahead, the Trail Blazers will hit the road to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, while the Rockets will travel to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves on Tuesday. Both teams will be looking to build on their performances as they enter the next stage of the season.
Explore More
For a detailed recap of the game, visit ESPN's full game recap.
Check out the full game highlights on YouTube or watch the wild ending of the Portland-Houston game for a thrilling recap.