BY ROSSER CUNANAN – SPORTS ON AIR USA CORRESPONDENT
12-10-2024
COLUMBUS — At long last, the Houston Rockets ended a 15-game losing streak at the hands of the Golden Warriors with a suspenseful 91-90 victory Wednesday night at the Toyota Center.
Jalen Green scored only 12 points on 5-of-15 shooting but the star shooting guard, whose mom is Filipina, swished two free throws in the final 3.6 seconds of play to secure the victory.
The Rockets-Warriors tiff also doubled as the NBA Cup quaterfinals showdown between the two Western Conference heavyweights. With the win Houston advances to the semifinals round this coming weekend in Las Vegas. The championship game will also be held in Sin City on December 17.
A controversy surrounded the ending when a foul was called near the final buzeer. Warriors head coach did not mince word during hs post-game press conference.
“I’m pissed off. I wanted to go to Las Vegas. We wanted to win this Cup. We aren’t going because of a loose ball, 80 feet from the basket,with the game on the line. I’ve never seen anything like that in my life. That was ridiculous.”
With the loss, Golden State dropped to 14-10 while Houston improved to 17-8.
Alperen Sengun was a tower of power for the Rockets with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. whle Amen Thompson and Tari Eason combined for 19 points and 13 rebounds.
Jonathen Kuminga led the Warriors with 20 points. Superstar Steph Curry added 19.
