Rockets Hold off Thunder
HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- Once again, the Houston Rockets of 2009 - 2010 found a way to win a ball game. Despite playing without Carl Landry (day-to-day, emergency dental work) and losing rookie Chase Budinger in the second quarter with a sprained right ankle, the Rockets gutted out a 95-90 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder Saturday night in front of 15,095 fans.
As usual thus far this season, someone for the Rockets stepped up to help get the victory.
Trevor Ariza scored 23 of his game-high 31 points in the first half. Ariza shot 9 for 13 from the field (5 for 7 on threes) in the first half; however, Ariza wore down in the second half and especially in the fourth quarter. Ariza missed five straight throws in the final period which helpep the Thunder stay within striking distance of the Rockets.
"Well, it was tough down the stretch," Ariza said. "If I want to be the type of player that I think I am, I have to stay strong late in the game even if I start off strong."
The Rockets (16-11) led 50 to 40 at halftime and increased the lead to as many as 17 points in the third period; however, the Rockets could not put the Thunder away.
Oklahoma City's (13-13) Jeff Green scored seven points in the final three minutes of the third to help cut the Rockets lead to nine points (74-65) at the end of the third.
While Ariza was missing foul shots, OKC's rookie guard Jeff Harden and big man Serge Ibaka were scoring to trim the Rockets lead to just one point (82-81) with 5:20 remaining.
Ariza scored a layup (missed the free throw for the 'and 1'); and, then, an unlikely hero went to work for the Rockets -- David Andersen.
Andersen tipped in a missed shot; scored a layup; then, scored in the post with a left-handed hook shot for six straight points to give the Rockets a 92-86 lead with 2:26 left in the game. Andersen finished the game with 10 points and four rebounds.
Ariza blocked a shot and finally hit two free throws in the fourth to help seal the Rockets' victory.
Chuck Hayes finished the game with 13 points (6 for 9 from the field) and a game-high (and career-high tying) 15 rebounds. Hayes' nine first half points were three more than Kevin Durant's six first half points. Durant only scored 13 in the game.
Shane Battier and Ariza took turns defending Durant in the ball game. Durant made just six of his 18 field goal attempts.
"They have two of the premier perimeter defenders in Ariza and Battier," said Thunder head coach Scott Brooks. "They were a big factor in K.D.’s (Kevin Durant) game."
"Two point (Aaron Brooks and Kyle Lowry) guards got over 50 points last night," said Rick Adelman, Rockets head coach. "And, they get eight (points) today and somebody else steps up; tonight it was Chuck and David. They gave us a big lift in the fourth quarter."
Luis Scola chipped in with 16 points and eight boards. Shane Battier added 13 points and three boards.
Next up for the gritty Rockets is the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, December 22.
As usual thus far this season, someone for the Rockets stepped up to help get the victory.
Trevor Ariza scored 23 of his game-high 31 points in the first half. Ariza shot 9 for 13 from the field (5 for 7 on threes) in the first half; however, Ariza wore down in the second half and especially in the fourth quarter. Ariza missed five straight throws in the final period which helpep the Thunder stay within striking distance of the Rockets.
"Well, it was tough down the stretch," Ariza said. "If I want to be the type of player that I think I am, I have to stay strong late in the game even if I start off strong."
The Rockets (16-11) led 50 to 40 at halftime and increased the lead to as many as 17 points in the third period; however, the Rockets could not put the Thunder away.
Oklahoma City's (13-13) Jeff Green scored seven points in the final three minutes of the third to help cut the Rockets lead to nine points (74-65) at the end of the third.
While Ariza was missing foul shots, OKC's rookie guard Jeff Harden and big man Serge Ibaka were scoring to trim the Rockets lead to just one point (82-81) with 5:20 remaining.
Ariza scored a layup (missed the free throw for the 'and 1'); and, then, an unlikely hero went to work for the Rockets -- David Andersen.
Andersen tipped in a missed shot; scored a layup; then, scored in the post with a left-handed hook shot for six straight points to give the Rockets a 92-86 lead with 2:26 left in the game. Andersen finished the game with 10 points and four rebounds.
Ariza blocked a shot and finally hit two free throws in the fourth to help seal the Rockets' victory.
Chuck Hayes finished the game with 13 points (6 for 9 from the field) and a game-high (and career-high tying) 15 rebounds. Hayes' nine first half points were three more than Kevin Durant's six first half points. Durant only scored 13 in the game.
Shane Battier and Ariza took turns defending Durant in the ball game. Durant made just six of his 18 field goal attempts.
"They have two of the premier perimeter defenders in Ariza and Battier," said Thunder head coach Scott Brooks. "They were a big factor in K.D.’s (Kevin Durant) game."
"Two point (Aaron Brooks and Kyle Lowry) guards got over 50 points last night," said Rick Adelman, Rockets head coach. "And, they get eight (points) today and somebody else steps up; tonight it was Chuck and David. They gave us a big lift in the fourth quarter."
Luis Scola chipped in with 16 points and eight boards. Shane Battier added 13 points and three boards.
Next up for the gritty Rockets is the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, December 22.
posted by Kris G @ 11:08 PM
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