Rockets rout Pistons, 96-82

Posted: November 10, 2012 -- 10:58pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) – Entering Saturday night's game, the Houston Rockets were on a three-game losing streak and the Detroit Pistons were a winless 0-6. Both teams played Friday night and had to fly to Houston for Saturday's game. Sounds like a recipe for an ugly ball game, right?

Bingo.

However, despite numerous ugly moments in the first quarter, the Rockets snapped their losing streak and routed the Pistons 96-82 in front of an announced crowd of 15,037 fans.

Kelvin Sampson, Houston Rockets assistant coach, said, “This is an important win. You're always leery of a wounded animal and Detroit was wounded. They needed this win desperately and we did too. I liked our energy. We played good, especially with the second unit. I think the second unit came in and really boosted us. Tony Douglas played well. Marcus Morris was outstanding. Carlos (Delfino) was outstanding. It's nice to see James (Harden) knock down some 3's. It's a big win.”

Sampson assumed head-coaching duties tonight as, earlier in the day, Kevin McHale left the team to tend to a family emergency.

James Harden scored a game-high 20 points. Harden scored 10 points in the third quarter to help the Rockets (3-3) turn a 60-56 lead into a blow out. The Rockets outscored the Pistons 12 to 1 to finish the third quarter; then, the Rockets continued their run by scoring the first eight points in the fourth quarter to lead 80-57 with 6:18 remaining in the ball game. The Rockets' largest lead of the game was 26 points before the Pistons scored 13 consecutive points to make the score somewhat respectable.

Harden said, “It was good for us to come out and get a win, especially for Coach McHale and what he's going through. I think defensively, we played well. Offensively, we moved the ball a lot better so hopefully we can build off this game.”

Marcus Morris scored 12 points (6 for 7 fgs) in 19:13 off the bench to lead the Rockets' reserves. Morris' 12 points were part of 45 points from the bench brigade. Toney Douglas added 11 while Carlos Delfino, rookie Terrence Jones, and Daequan Cook each scored five points.

Morris added, “I thought both teams were desperate for a win. We had dropped three straight so we were trying to get the win and that was the emphasis coming into this game.”

Omer Asik matched his career high in scoring with 14 points (5-12 FG, 4-4 FT) tonight, adding eight rebounds and a career-best four steals.

The Rockets host the Miami Heat, Monday night, at 7pm.

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