Rockets nuke the Nuggets 125-95

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Rockets nuke Nuggets, 125-95

Posted: November 22, 2017 -- 11:04 pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets started slowly; but, once they heated up, the Rockets raced past and routed the Denver Nuggets 125-95. The Rockets' largest lead of the game was 48 points twice.

With Ryan Anderson (illness) and Eric Gordon (right calf tightness) out of action tonight, Trevor Ariza, Luc Mbah a Moute, and Nenê stepped up their scoring numbers.

"Obviously, we missed Eric and Ryan; but, Tuck (P.J. Tucker) and Luc are always ready to go," James Harden said after the game. "Trevor had a big night. Nenê played well. We're going to need that from everybody."

Ariza scored a game-high 25 points (9 for 12 from the floor including 7 for 10 from three) while Luc scored 13 points on a perfect shooting night: 5 for 5 (3 for 3 on threes). Nenê also scored 13 points (5 for 7 field goals, 3 for 4 free throws).

Both teams struggled to make shots the first few minutes of the game. The Rockets (14-4) missed their first six field goal attempts while the Nuggets made just 1 of their first 7 attempts.

Chris Paul ended the Rockets' drought when he sank a 10-foot jump shot. Paul scored a lay-up for a 4-2 Rockets' lead; but, once the Nuggets tied the game at 4, the Rockets took off and never looked back thanks to spectacular shooting.

"We had six points the first six minutes; but, because of our defense, we're up," Mike D'Antoni said in his post-game press conference.

The Rockets erupted and made 26 of their next 29 shots (before missing their last three shots of the first half) to take a 75-40 lead at halftime.

"That's what we do," Trevor Ariza said.. "We have a lot of players that can score the basketball. A lot of interchangeable parts; and, when we play our game and not worry about anything, we score a lot of points."

The Nuggets scored the first 12 points of the third quarter to trim the Rockets' lead to 23. The Nuggets pulled within 21 (81-60) before finishing the quarter with a 20-7 burst to lead by 34 (101-67) after three periods.

With a 47 point lead, Zhou Qi, Bobby Brown, Briante Weber, and Troy Williams checked into the game (Tarik Black was already in the game). Qi scored 6 points and had a great blocked shot on Wilson Chandler.

Ariza's 25 points are his season-high. Since rejoining the Rockets in 2014-'15, Houston is 20-3 when he scored 20 plus points.

In his first regular season home game as a Rocket, Chris Paul posted season-highs of 23 points and 12 assists. Since his 2005-'06 rookie season in the NBA, Paul has recorded 20 plus points and 10 plus assists a league-high 196 times. No other player has accomplished that feat more than 149 times.

"I told you (media) it's not going to be as hard as everyone makes it seem like," Harden said of he and Chris Paul playing together in the backcourt. "We got two guys who are willing passers and want to get guys involved and want to make the right plays. It makes it easier for everybody.

#Rockets James Harden discusses how easy Chris Paul makes the game. Plus, Harden believes he and CP3 will work great together: "It's not going to be as hard as everybody makes it seem like."

A post shared by KG (@houstonroundballreview) on Nov 22, 2017 at 8:09pm PST

Luc Mbah a Moute set a new NBA record with a +57 rating in his 25 minutes and 43 seconds of game-action tonight. Per Basketball-Reference.com, the previous record for the best plus / minus rating for a single game by a player with 26 or fewer minutes was Wally Szczerbiak's +50 for Minnesota versus the Chicago Bulls November 8, 2001.

James Harden scored 21 points tonight. Harden has scored 20 plus points in all 18 games this season. Since the 1963-'64 season, only 15 other players have accomplished that feat and just three other players since the 1995-'96 season.