Rockets Roll Thunder
HOUSTON, TX -- The Houston Rockets used a quick-strike offense to run past the Oklahoma City Thunder, 105 to 94, Friday night in front of an announced Toyota Center crowd of 14,911 fans.
Carl Landry and Trevor Ariza tied for team-high scoring honors with 21 points each. Luis Scola collected his third straight double-double with 19 points (8 for 13 from the field) and 10 rebounds. Rookie fan favorite Chase Budinger poured in 16 points (6 for 10, 2 for 4 on threes) off the bench and Aaron Brooks was the fifth Rockets player in double figures with 11 points.
"It was the type of game at home that we have to win and we were able to get it done," said Rockets head coach Rick Adelman after the game. "We had a nice balance to the game. We had 26 assists. We keep doing that we're going to be okay."
The Rockets (4 - 2) led the Thunder 26 to 21 after the first quarter; but, Kyle Lowry led the Rockets' bench brigade race to an 11 point lead on two occasions in the second stanza. Lowry pushed the basketball constantly in the quarter and dished out five assists in the period.
"We've got to give Kyle a lot of credit," Adelman added. "He pushed it all night long when he was in the game. He really kind of changed the whole tempo of the game for us."
Lowry finished the game with a game-high eight assists (in just 19 minutes and 47 seconds).
The Rockets took a 50 to 45 lead into halftime; but, Aaron Brooks scored seven straight points to begin the third quarter to give the Rockets a 57 to 47 lead with 10:08 left in the third period.
Despite trailing by as much as 14 points (73 to 59) in the third quarter, the Thunder (2 - 3) refused to go away. OKC's Kevin Durant (27 points, 11 for 22 from the field)) and Russell Westbrook (33 points, 14 for 25) combined for 14 of the Thunder's 24 points in the third quarter; however, the Rockets led the Thunder 80 to 69 after three quarters.
The Thunder trimmed the Rockets' lead to just six points (84 to 78) with 8:38 left on the game clock; but, Trevor Ariza scored seven straight points to give the Rockets.
"We're starting to learn how to play well together," said Ariza after the game.
The Rockets riddled Oklahoma City's defense throughout the game with solid ball and player movement which resulted in 26 assists on 42 made baskets.
"Twenty-six assists. That's a good formula for us," said Rockets forward Shane Battier after the game. "When we move the ball like that, and a lot guys touch the ball and scoring, that gives us a much better chance instead of lining up isolations and trying to take on the defense one on five."
Carl Landry and Trevor Ariza tied for team-high scoring honors with 21 points each. Luis Scola collected his third straight double-double with 19 points (8 for 13 from the field) and 10 rebounds. Rookie fan favorite Chase Budinger poured in 16 points (6 for 10, 2 for 4 on threes) off the bench and Aaron Brooks was the fifth Rockets player in double figures with 11 points.
"It was the type of game at home that we have to win and we were able to get it done," said Rockets head coach Rick Adelman after the game. "We had a nice balance to the game. We had 26 assists. We keep doing that we're going to be okay."
The Rockets (4 - 2) led the Thunder 26 to 21 after the first quarter; but, Kyle Lowry led the Rockets' bench brigade race to an 11 point lead on two occasions in the second stanza. Lowry pushed the basketball constantly in the quarter and dished out five assists in the period.
"We've got to give Kyle a lot of credit," Adelman added. "He pushed it all night long when he was in the game. He really kind of changed the whole tempo of the game for us."
Lowry finished the game with a game-high eight assists (in just 19 minutes and 47 seconds).
The Rockets took a 50 to 45 lead into halftime; but, Aaron Brooks scored seven straight points to begin the third quarter to give the Rockets a 57 to 47 lead with 10:08 left in the third period.
Despite trailing by as much as 14 points (73 to 59) in the third quarter, the Thunder (2 - 3) refused to go away. OKC's Kevin Durant (27 points, 11 for 22 from the field)) and Russell Westbrook (33 points, 14 for 25) combined for 14 of the Thunder's 24 points in the third quarter; however, the Rockets led the Thunder 80 to 69 after three quarters.
The Thunder trimmed the Rockets' lead to just six points (84 to 78) with 8:38 left on the game clock; but, Trevor Ariza scored seven straight points to give the Rockets.
"We're starting to learn how to play well together," said Ariza after the game.
The Rockets riddled Oklahoma City's defense throughout the game with solid ball and player movement which resulted in 26 assists on 42 made baskets.
"Twenty-six assists. That's a good formula for us," said Rockets forward Shane Battier after the game. "When we move the ball like that, and a lot guys touch the ball and scoring, that gives us a much better chance instead of lining up isolations and trying to take on the defense one on five."
posted by Kris G @ 11:39 PM
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