The Houston Roundball Review is an online basketball publication by: Kris Gardner, United States Basketball Writers Association member. Credentialed media member since 1997. USBWA approved online journalist. Voter of Katrina McClain, Naismith, USBWA, and Wooden awards.
Eric Gordon's 30 points in Rockets 116-98 win over Minnesota
Posted: January 18, 2018 -- 11:55 pm CST.
HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- James Harden returned to game action Thursday night; but, Eric Gordon was the leading scorer for the Rockets in Houston's 116-98 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Gordon scored 30 points in 35 minutes and 14 seconds off the bench.
Harden missed seven consecutive games due to an injured left hamstring; therefore, since tonight was his first game action since the injury, Harden was a minutes restriction of 25 minutes. Harden struggled with his shooting tonight. He made only 3 of his 15 field goal attempts in tonight's game; but, he did dish out seven assists.
“It felt good, it felt good to be back on the court,” Harden said describing his first game back performance versus the T-wolves. “Just that atmosphere and dribbling a basketball, those seven (games) felt like an extremely long time. But we got a win, that’s all that matters.”
Harden said there wasn't much he didn't like from his performance.
“No, other than missing a lot of shots that I normally make. I think I was active, especially defensively. I just try to create opportunities whether it be blocking shots or creating steals and getting guys involved. Obviously CP (Chris Paul) and those guys, they had an extremely great game tonight. But, everybody else filled in.”
Both teams struggled making shots in the first quarter.
2:54 left in 1st qtr, #Rockets 14, Timberwolves 13. Rockets 6/21 fgs (2/9 3s); Wolves 6/18 fgs (1/2 3s). #Yuck
With 1:22 remaining in the first quarter, the game was tied at 17; however, Eric Gordon scored nine consecutive points to end the quarter and put the Rockets ahead 26-17 after the first 12 minutes.
The Timberwolves scored the seven points of the second quarter; but, Ryan Anderson sank two free throws to increase the lead the 4. The Rockets' lead grew to seven points twice; but, Minnesota inched within two points twice before trailing 46-43 with 3:44 until halftime.
Houston guard Chris Paul scored 10 points during a 17-7 Rockets' run to give the Rockets a 63-50 halftime lead.
Minnesota (29-18) was unable to get closer than six points (67-61) during the third quarter. Eric Gordon and Harden each made a three-point shot to boost the lead to 73-61.
Leading 73-66, the Rockets finished the third quarter with a 16-4 run to lead 89-70 after three quarters.
To summarize, the Rockets ended each quarter with a run: 9-0 to end the first quarter; 17-7 to end the second; and 16-4 to end the third.
Eric Gordon capped the scoring in the third quarter by banking in a 50-foot jumper to beat the buzzer.
Gordon didn't "call glass" on his banked in buzzer beater.
"No; but, when I shot it, I thought it was going to go in somehow," Gordon said after the game. "It looked good from that distance; but, it was good that it went in."
Houston (31-12) kept Minnesota at arms' length in the fourth quarter. Minnesota managed to trim Houston's lead to nine points with 3:26 remaining in the game; however, for the fourth and final time of the game, the Rockets ended the quarter with a 13-4 run to win the game by 18 points.
"We've been dealing with adversity for the past month or two with guys in and out (of the lineup)," Gordon commented. "We're lucky to get the dub (win). We had two valuable guys on our team (Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green each suspended two games) that were out; so, you know you got to roll with the punches. You just got to continue to strive and find a way to get wins."
Gordon's 30 points help the Rockets' bench outscore the Timberwolves 47-22. Gordon has scored 30 points or more in three of his last seven games -- after doing so twice his first 109 games played as a Rocket.
Clint Capela scored 20 points (7 for 9 field goals, 6 for 6 free throws). Capela has scored 20 plus points eight times this season after doing so a total of seven times prior in his young career. Over his past 14 games played, Capela is averaging 16.7 points after averaging 13.1 points per game the first 24 games of the season.
In his second game back after missing 15 games with a right shoulder dislocation, Rockets forward Luc Mbah a Moute scored 14 points in the game. The 14 points ties for his second-highest point total of the 2017-'18 season. The Rockets are 7-1 when Mbah a Moute scores in double-figures.
Nenê scored 12 points and pulled a down a season-high 8 rebounds off the bench tonight after missing the previous six games with a bruised right knee. The Rockets are 9-1 when Nenê scores in double-figures this season.
Head Coach Mike D'Antoni said the Rockets must scrap and be aggressive on defense in order to win in the playoffs.
"If you want to go deep in the playoffs, if you want to win, we have to have a toughness mentally that's been missing.
"You know we've had some injuries; so, with Luc getting back he's part of that; P.J. (Tucker); Nenê; I thought tonight those three especially D'd these people up; and Chris (Paul) does his thing (on defense). So, it was good; and, if we can keep it there and get better. Keep going forward."
The Rockets host the Golden State Warriors, Saturday, January 20, at 7:30 p.m.
