KPJ shines as Baby Rockets bow to Jazz, lose 15th straight

Photo courtesy of Trent Nelson

It's hard to really call any loss a "win," but if there were any loss the Houston Rockets would ever feel good about, it would be this one.

The short-handed Houston Rockets, playing with only nine players (eight and a half, really), showed a surprising amount of fight but ultimately caved to the top-seeded Utah Jazz on Friday evening, by a score of 114-99.

It wasn't looking good for the Rockets, even before the game started. Injuries to a slew of players left the Rockets with only nine available players, one of which (David Nwaba) was forced to play with his non-dominant hand due to his right wrist being injured to the point that surgery was recommended.

As such, the team's starting lineup had only one regular starter in the opening five in Jae'Sean Tate, while 28-year-old Ben McLemore suddenly found himself as the oldest, and longest-tenured Houston Rocket on the squad.

That inexperience--along with a distinct lack of playing time together--more than revealed itself throughout the course of the game. The team shot a woeful 37% from the field, including just under 21% from three.

But a funny thing happened. Despite trailing by 23 at one point in the contest, the young, plucky Houston Rockets squad actually managed to battle back to within four points with seven and a half minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

A large part of that effort was the outstanding effort of Kevin Porter Jr. Starting for the first time, Porter Jr. dazzled against the best team in the league, even if the shooting percentages weren't the prettiest. KPJ finished the evening with 27 points (11-25 shooting), eight assists, three rebounds, and two blocks.

KPJ's 27 points were the most by a player under the age of 21 in franchise history. Two of those record-high points came on this sensational reverse layup.

Contributing right there beside KPJ was fellow G-League teammate (and fellow junior) Kenyon Martin Jr., son of NBA great Kenyon Martin. In only his second game since January, KJ Martin dropped his first career double-double with 15 points and ten rebounds. He also contributed three steals, along with this fantastic block at the rim against Rudy Gobert.

The effort really showed from the young guys. Combined with a bit of rust from the Jazz, who were playing their first game back from the All-Star break, Houston actually managed to match Utah's rebounding total at 50, including 19 offensive boards. The Rockets also forced 20 Jazz turnovers.

Though the effort was certainly there, it wasn't quite enough to down the team with the league's best record. A late run from Utah would seal them the win, and Houston's 15th straight loss.

Still, there was a lot to like despite the loss, and Coach Stephen Silas acknowledged as much. Regarding Kevin Porter Jr., Silas has glowing praise for the young guard. "He's played two games with us here and we're not going to overstate anything, but I think we've got something here."

Silas also praised the effort from the injured David Nwaba, who specifically asked for a way to contribute in light of the lack of available bodies for the team, despite his injury. "That's why you coach... guys like that are why you coach." Nwaba finished with a more than commendable 10 points and eight rebounds.

The Rockets get a much-needed break on Saturday, before getting back at it on Sunday against the Boston Celtics. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 PM CT.