Toronto Raptors rookie Collin Murray-Boyles described the physical challenge of battling Houston Rockets’ Steven Adams on Wednesday night as “insane.” Murray-Boyles, starting in place of the injured Jakob Poeltl, admitted his wrists were sore after trying to box out and tussle with the veteran center.
“I was asking him what his routine is mid-game. It’s insane,” Murray-Boyles said, via Josh Lewenberg, highlighting Adams’ strength and presence on the court. The Rockets dominated the rebounding battle 53-22, with Adams contributing 12 points and 12 boards in just 20 minutes off the bench.
Despite the physical mismatch, Murray-Boyles had a solid showing, scoring 13 points in 25 minutes. Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 31 points, while Brandon Ingram added 29, but Toronto could not overcome Houston’s dominance inside the paint.
Kevin Durant paced the Rockets with 31 points, connecting on 4-of-8 three-pointers, while Jabari Smith Jr. added 25 points and five rebounds. Alperen Sengun flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 18 points, nine assists, and eight boards. Houston’s offense moved efficiently, tallying 31 assists on 50 made field goals.
Toronto briefly cut the deficit in the third quarter but could not sustain momentum as Houston opened with a 14-4 run to take an 84-67 lead. Murray-Boyles acknowledged the challenge of adjusting to the Rockets’ physical style and said the matchup offered valuable experience against a seasoned frontline.
Amen Thompson and Tari Eason also contributed for Houston off the bench, outscoring Toronto’s reserves 42-23. Murray-Boyles’ effort in the post and on the glass reflected the Raptors’ need for toughness against elite competition in the early season.
The defeat marked Toronto’s fourth consecutive loss, all by double digits and all against Texas-based teams. The Raptors will look to regroup as they travel to Cleveland on Friday, while the Rockets continue their road trip against Boston on Saturday.
