The Houston Rockets are led by a stout defense, a versatile supporting cast and two rising stars. But Alperen Şengün is still way ahead of Jalen Green.

Sengun is averaging a robust 19.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, but on just 49% shooting from the floor and 22.6% from long range.

The Rockets' two top scorers have a chance to be voted into the NBA All-Star Game, recognition their teammates say both players earned. So we had them pitch it.

With the Cavaliers down two points, Darius Garland, their potential All-Star guard and 90 percent free-throw shooter, sat alone at the line with the chance to give Cleveland the lead. Even if he failed to make all three free throws, Cleveland, via a Flagrant One on the Rockets, would have the ball with a chance to seal the game.

Alperen Şengün is a Turkish professional basketball player born on July 25, 2002, in Giresun, Turkey. He plays as a center for the Houston Rockets in the NBA and represents the Turkish national team.

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun is enjoying the best ... and the Rockets are in second place in the Western Conference standings as January rolls into its second half. A big reason for ...

Alperen Sengun and the Rockets (-2.5) won last week as road favorites in Memphis, and the number has slightly risen for Monday’s rematch in Houston.

Amen Thompson's athleticism and play in his second year has been key for Rockets who have ascended to being one of NBA's top four teams.

The venue had changed, but the storyline was playing out the same as the Houston Rockets were in danger of coughing up yet another double-figure lead in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The NBA champion Boston Celtics dominated the Dallas Mavericks in a Finals rematch on Saturday as the Houston Rockets took the Cleveland Cavaliers down a peg and Victor Wembanyama ended

Michael Shapiro is a sports reporter for Chron, covering the Astros, Rockets, Texans and every team in town. Michael is a Denver native and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, and a noted fan of pull-up threes, wide-receiver passes and a good hot fudge sundae.

Houston (29-14, No. 2 in West) is the only team with wins this season over both the Thunder and Cavaliers, who are tied for the NBA’s best record.