Rockets Beat Nuggets for 15th Straight Win
The Denver Nuggets scored the opening basket of tonight's game which marked the first time the Rockets have trailed in a game since the 3:10 mark of the second quarter (37-38) versus the Chicago Bulls on Feb. 24, 2008.
The Nuggets led the Rockets until Rockets forward Shane Battier tied the game at 12 with a made three-point shot with 4:08 left in the first quarter.
The Nuggets regained the lead until Tracy McGrady put Houston ahead (19 to 18) with a driving slam dunk.
The Rockets never trailed the rest of the ball game. The Rockets topped the Nuggets 103 to 89 for a franchise-tying 15th straight victory.
The Rockets led the Nuggets 21 to 18 at the end of the first quarter and 50 to 40 at halftime.
McGrady led all scorers with 22 points. Battier scored 20 points and made five of his 10 three-point field goal attempts. Luis Scola added 18 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. Rafer Alston added 16 points and eight assists while forward Carl Landry added 12 points and five rebounds off the bench.
For the first time in team history, the Rockets have won their last six consecutive games by a double-digit margin.
"It was a terrific team win," said head coach Rick Adelman. "Our guys started the game a little slow, but for the most part,the whole game we controlled the tempo the way we wanted it and tried to keep them from getting to the basket."
Dikembe Mutombo blocked three shots and altered numerous Nuggets' shot attempts.
"Dikembe (Mutombo) brings a huge presence defensively out there," McGrady said about Mutombo's defense. "In spite of him only having 3 or 4 blocks, it forces guys to alter their shots when they come in there (the paint) and it forces guys to think twice about driving."
Denver found an offensive rhythm in the third quarter and outscored the Rockets 31 to 30 in the period; however, Houston held the Nuggets to 5 for 17 (29.4%) shooting from the field in the fourth quarter to cruise to the victory.
Allen Iverson scored 17 points in the game; but, he struggled from the field and made only seven of his 22 field goal tries.
"I struggled and when I do (struggle) it is going to be hard for us to win a game," Iverson said. "We had too many defensive let downs in the game. I had good looks but it was a rough game for me."
Houston's 15 straight wins is a result of team-wide confidence as well as a belief in each other within the Rockets' locker room.
"We believe," said Tracy McGrady. "We don't care what anyone says about us outside this locker room. We as a group believe, we know how good we are and we're showing it. We're a focused group, a group that understands how to win ball games. We're playing great defensively...what more do we have to do?"
The Nuggets led the Rockets until Rockets forward Shane Battier tied the game at 12 with a made three-point shot with 4:08 left in the first quarter.
The Nuggets regained the lead until Tracy McGrady put Houston ahead (19 to 18) with a driving slam dunk.
The Rockets never trailed the rest of the ball game. The Rockets topped the Nuggets 103 to 89 for a franchise-tying 15th straight victory.
The Rockets led the Nuggets 21 to 18 at the end of the first quarter and 50 to 40 at halftime.
McGrady led all scorers with 22 points. Battier scored 20 points and made five of his 10 three-point field goal attempts. Luis Scola added 18 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. Rafer Alston added 16 points and eight assists while forward Carl Landry added 12 points and five rebounds off the bench.
For the first time in team history, the Rockets have won their last six consecutive games by a double-digit margin.
"It was a terrific team win," said head coach Rick Adelman. "Our guys started the game a little slow, but for the most part,the whole game we controlled the tempo the way we wanted it and tried to keep them from getting to the basket."
Dikembe Mutombo blocked three shots and altered numerous Nuggets' shot attempts.
"Dikembe (Mutombo) brings a huge presence defensively out there," McGrady said about Mutombo's defense. "In spite of him only having 3 or 4 blocks, it forces guys to alter their shots when they come in there (the paint) and it forces guys to think twice about driving."
Denver found an offensive rhythm in the third quarter and outscored the Rockets 31 to 30 in the period; however, Houston held the Nuggets to 5 for 17 (29.4%) shooting from the field in the fourth quarter to cruise to the victory.
Allen Iverson scored 17 points in the game; but, he struggled from the field and made only seven of his 22 field goal tries.
"I struggled and when I do (struggle) it is going to be hard for us to win a game," Iverson said. "We had too many defensive let downs in the game. I had good looks but it was a rough game for me."
Houston's 15 straight wins is a result of team-wide confidence as well as a belief in each other within the Rockets' locker room.
"We believe," said Tracy McGrady. "We don't care what anyone says about us outside this locker room. We as a group believe, we know how good we are and we're showing it. We're a focused group, a group that understands how to win ball games. We're playing great defensively...what more do we have to do?"
posted by Kris Gardner @ 10:51 PM
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