Rockets Rout Pistons
HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets raced past the Detroit Pistons 107-96 Tuesday night in front of an announced crowd of 14,899 fans. The Rockets scored a season-high tying 27 fast-break points as the defense-minded Pistons could not keep up with the speedy Aaron Brooks nor the fast-paced action.
Tonight's game also marked the return of Rockets' swingman Tracy McGrady. For the first time since February 9, 2009, McGrady played in an NBA basketball game.
Trailing the Pistons 15 to 11, Aaron Brooks scored his first of many driving lay-ups in the game to start an 18 to 4 run by the Rockets which gave the Rockets a 29 to 19 lead at the end of the first period.
The Rockets shots 66.7% (12 for 18) from the field in the first stanza.
The Rockets led 54 to 37 late in the second quarter; however, in the final 2:52 of the first half, the Rockets played poorly against the Pistons' zone defense. The stagnant offense led to a 10 to 2 run by the Pistons to trim the Rockets lead to just nine points (56 to 47).
Rockets' rookie Chase Budinger scored six of his 16 points in the third period to help the Rockets outscore the Pistons 25 to 21 in the third quarter and take a 81-68 into the fourth quarter.
Budinger started the fourth period with a three-point play and Luis Scola hit two free throws to put the Rockets ahead by 18 points. The Rockets would lead by as many as 20 points (100 to 80) in the fourth quarter.
Budinger finished the game with his first career double-double (16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds). Budinger started the game in place of Trevor Ariza. Ariza was suspended for one game for throwing an elbow in Sunday's Rockets versus the Toronto Raptors.
"He was terrific," said Rick Adelman of Budinger's performance. "He made shots and he ran the floor. The thing he really did well was rebound the ball. He got 12 rebounds, he got a couple of nice baskets. He just did a really nice job. He doesn't play like your typical rookie. He just plays. We needed a big game from him with Trevor (Ariza) out and he gave it to us."
Aaron Brooks and Luis Scola each scored a game-high 23 points. Brooks dished out a game-high 10 assists. The Rockets dished out 28 assists on the 41 made field goals. The Rockets shot 54.7% (41 for 75 from the field) for the game.
"We got on the run. We got some easy buckets," said Brooks. "We were getting a lot of layups. We shot fourteen 3's (pointers) today. We did a good job of running the floor and all that starts with great defense at the defensive end. We haven't scored 100 points in awhile. We had a lot of layups today."
The Rockets (14-10, overall record) attempted 32 (made 23) free throws to just 13 (made 8) for the Pistons (11-13).
"Houston was very aggressive and that is why they won the game," said Pistons head coach John Kuester after the game. "We just didn't defend well."
Tonight's game also marked the return of Rockets' swingman Tracy McGrady. For the first time since February 9, 2009, McGrady played in an NBA basketball game.
Trailing the Pistons 15 to 11, Aaron Brooks scored his first of many driving lay-ups in the game to start an 18 to 4 run by the Rockets which gave the Rockets a 29 to 19 lead at the end of the first period.
The Rockets shots 66.7% (12 for 18) from the field in the first stanza.
The Rockets led 54 to 37 late in the second quarter; however, in the final 2:52 of the first half, the Rockets played poorly against the Pistons' zone defense. The stagnant offense led to a 10 to 2 run by the Pistons to trim the Rockets lead to just nine points (56 to 47).
Rockets' rookie Chase Budinger scored six of his 16 points in the third period to help the Rockets outscore the Pistons 25 to 21 in the third quarter and take a 81-68 into the fourth quarter.
Budinger started the fourth period with a three-point play and Luis Scola hit two free throws to put the Rockets ahead by 18 points. The Rockets would lead by as many as 20 points (100 to 80) in the fourth quarter.
Budinger finished the game with his first career double-double (16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds). Budinger started the game in place of Trevor Ariza. Ariza was suspended for one game for throwing an elbow in Sunday's Rockets versus the Toronto Raptors.
"He was terrific," said Rick Adelman of Budinger's performance. "He made shots and he ran the floor. The thing he really did well was rebound the ball. He got 12 rebounds, he got a couple of nice baskets. He just did a really nice job. He doesn't play like your typical rookie. He just plays. We needed a big game from him with Trevor (Ariza) out and he gave it to us."
Aaron Brooks and Luis Scola each scored a game-high 23 points. Brooks dished out a game-high 10 assists. The Rockets dished out 28 assists on the 41 made field goals. The Rockets shot 54.7% (41 for 75 from the field) for the game.
"We got on the run. We got some easy buckets," said Brooks. "We were getting a lot of layups. We shot fourteen 3's (pointers) today. We did a good job of running the floor and all that starts with great defense at the defensive end. We haven't scored 100 points in awhile. We had a lot of layups today."
The Rockets (14-10, overall record) attempted 32 (made 23) free throws to just 13 (made 8) for the Pistons (11-13).
"Houston was very aggressive and that is why they won the game," said Pistons head coach John Kuester after the game. "We just didn't defend well."
posted by Kris G @ 11:59 PM
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