Tonight, it was all Rockets all night long. Houston blew San Antonio out of the water by a score of 136-105.
The Rockets shot 56 percent from the field in the first quarter en route to 39 points. The lead was 16 after the first and the team never really took their foot off the gas pedal.
The big three for Houston each recorded triple-doubles. James Harden played his traditional game, dropping 23 points and 10 assists. Clint Capela recorded a team-high 27 points on 12-16 shooting in 30 minutes. He also grabbed 12 of the team’s 49 rebounds, a team-high. Chris Paul returned after a three-game absence to the tune of 14 points and 10 assists.
With CP3’s return, it allowed Eric Gordon to slide back into his glove-fit role as the team’s sixth man. He continued his offensive onslaught with 26 points on 8-16 shooting. He also made a team-high seven triples, which was three less than the entire San Antonio team combined.
The team was feeling it from downtown tonight as the team sunk 22 threes on 54 attempts. It’s hard to lose a game when the accuracy and volume behind the three-point line is that high.
For the Spurs, it is the second consecutive loss by 30 or more points, which is another level of “Yikes!” The team has gone 4-10 after winning six of their first eight games. Tonight, LaMarcus Aldridge led the team in scoring with 20 points but was unable to play up to the tempo and rhythm that Houston played at.
It’s hard to believe that this team dropped a 20-point game on Wednesday against the Mavs to come back to a performance like this. Having Gerald Green and CP3 back helps and it increases the depth on this team tenfold.
And it looks like the depth will continue to grow with Nene’s return coming tomorrow against the Bullsand Brandon Knight beginning his rehab assignment in the G-League tonight.
Knight scored 16 points in his first NBA-affiliated game since February 2017.
With the team gaining strength and chemistry, it looks like tonight was a step in the right direction for the Rockets. It’s another up in this roller coaster season for the Rockets, but let’s hope this upswing is here to stay for a long time.
The Rockets head back to Houston tonight to gear up for a game tomorrow against the Bulls. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. CT.