Nuggets Down Rockets
HOUSTON, TX -- The Houston Rockets raced out to a big lead after one period; but, in the end, the Denver Nuggets picked up the 97-92 victory in front of an announced crowd of 16,357 fans.
The Rockets (24-21) scored nine fast-break points in the first quarter and led the Nuggets 31-16 after the first 12 minutes.
Then, the game screeched to a halt in the second quarter. The Nuggets worked the ball down low to center Nene; and, Nene delivered with 13 points. The Rockets were called for 13 fouls in the quarter. Yes, 13 fouls. The Nuggets attempted 16 foul shots in the quarter and made 15.
"The fouls slowed us down a lot," said Aaron Brooks after the game. "It was a very boring game in the second quarter. It seemed like a lot of practicing free throws in the second quarter; but, you know, you have games like that."
Meanwhile, the Nuggets (31-14) were whistled for six fouls which resulted in six free throw attempts for the Rockets. The Rox made four attempts.
Denver outscored the Rockets 34-20 in the second period; but, the Rockets led 51-50 at halftime.
Aaron Brooks played just 6 minutes and 41 seconds in the first half because he was whistled for three fouls. Brooks scored just two points in the half.
Brooks scored six points in the first 1:39 of the third quarter before picking up his fourth foul.
Trevor Ariza picked up the slack and score points in the third. The Rockets outscored the Nuggets 23-22 in the third.
Brooks opened up the fourth quarter with six points; and, the Rockets led the Nuggets 80-79 before the offense went ice cold.
The Rockets missed eight straight shots; and, the Nuggets took advantage and outscored the Rockets 10-0 before Scola hit a 13-foot jump shot for a 89-82 Denver lead at the 4:53 mark of the ball game.
Two turnovers and four missed shots in a two minute stretch doomed the Rockets' chances of a comeback.
"Tonight, we didn't play very well," said Shane Battier after the game. "We couldn't keep them off the free throw line. They shot 40 (actually 39) free throws; and, they shot 44 percent (from the field). That really slowed us down after we played really well in the first quarter."
The Nuggets' 39 free throw attempts were the most free throws attempted by a Rockets' opponent this season. Denver made 29 free throws which matched the Rockets' opponent season high.
Brooks led the Rockets with 22 points (in just 20 minutes). Luis Scola added 20 points and 11 rebounds. Trevor Ariza scored 19 points and grabbed 10 boards. Ariza shot 8 for 21 from the field; but, he only attempted six three-point shots.
"I was going to be more aggressive tonight," Ariza said. "I've got to find this rhythm and try to get things back in order offensively; but, tonight it didn't help at all because we didn't win."
The Rockets have lost three straight home games; but, head coach Rick Adelman said, "Our guys played hard. We just had that drought again in the second quarter where we couldn't make a shot. We were just back and forth. They got a little run in the fourth quarter. We just have to stay with it."
The Rockets (24-21) scored nine fast-break points in the first quarter and led the Nuggets 31-16 after the first 12 minutes.
Then, the game screeched to a halt in the second quarter. The Nuggets worked the ball down low to center Nene; and, Nene delivered with 13 points. The Rockets were called for 13 fouls in the quarter. Yes, 13 fouls. The Nuggets attempted 16 foul shots in the quarter and made 15.
"The fouls slowed us down a lot," said Aaron Brooks after the game. "It was a very boring game in the second quarter. It seemed like a lot of practicing free throws in the second quarter; but, you know, you have games like that."
Meanwhile, the Nuggets (31-14) were whistled for six fouls which resulted in six free throw attempts for the Rockets. The Rox made four attempts.
Denver outscored the Rockets 34-20 in the second period; but, the Rockets led 51-50 at halftime.
Aaron Brooks played just 6 minutes and 41 seconds in the first half because he was whistled for three fouls. Brooks scored just two points in the half.
Brooks scored six points in the first 1:39 of the third quarter before picking up his fourth foul.
Trevor Ariza picked up the slack and score points in the third. The Rockets outscored the Nuggets 23-22 in the third.
Brooks opened up the fourth quarter with six points; and, the Rockets led the Nuggets 80-79 before the offense went ice cold.
The Rockets missed eight straight shots; and, the Nuggets took advantage and outscored the Rockets 10-0 before Scola hit a 13-foot jump shot for a 89-82 Denver lead at the 4:53 mark of the ball game.
Two turnovers and four missed shots in a two minute stretch doomed the Rockets' chances of a comeback.
"Tonight, we didn't play very well," said Shane Battier after the game. "We couldn't keep them off the free throw line. They shot 40 (actually 39) free throws; and, they shot 44 percent (from the field). That really slowed us down after we played really well in the first quarter."
The Nuggets' 39 free throw attempts were the most free throws attempted by a Rockets' opponent this season. Denver made 29 free throws which matched the Rockets' opponent season high.
Brooks led the Rockets with 22 points (in just 20 minutes). Luis Scola added 20 points and 11 rebounds. Trevor Ariza scored 19 points and grabbed 10 boards. Ariza shot 8 for 21 from the field; but, he only attempted six three-point shots.
"I was going to be more aggressive tonight," Ariza said. "I've got to find this rhythm and try to get things back in order offensively; but, tonight it didn't help at all because we didn't win."
The Rockets have lost three straight home games; but, head coach Rick Adelman said, "Our guys played hard. We just had that drought again in the second quarter where we couldn't make a shot. We were just back and forth. They got a little run in the fourth quarter. We just have to stay with it."
posted by Kris G @ 11:04 PM
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