The Rockets give themselves a little break | NBA

If the Spurs did not have all their forces because of the quarantines, and returning from a long « road trip » of seven games on the East Coast, the Rockets have gone to seek it, this victory away. A success that ends a series of three consecutive defeats. A moment of respite for Houston, in a new season of « reconstruction », on 11 losses in their last 13 games all the same.

Even after leading by 12 points in the last quarter, Houston actually had to fight to the end while Dejounte Murray chained the miraculous 3-pointers to hang on to an ultimate hope. But Kevin Porter Jr. and the Rockets ended up winning (128-124) after a good Texas-style shootout.

A terrific Eric Gordon

« It was an effort of the whole group », liked Stephen Silas in the Houston Chronicle. « It was not only the holders, the substitutes participated as well [à cette victoire]. And then we mixed up our rotations a bit, giving JT minutes [Jae’Sean Tate] and in Jalen [Green] before bringing back the holders. We had a lot of players who held to our principles and played hard when we needed to, even if in the end there were some mistakes. We held on. I hope we will learn from this. « 

In addition to the solid double-double from Christian Wood (23 points, 11 rebounds), the Rockets were able to count on an excellent Eric Gordon, the other veteran of the group. Rather discreet in the first half, with 4 shots attempted for 11 points, he woke up at the end of the 3rd quarter with a burst of 10 points in the last minute and 14 seconds of the period. And a basket in penetration to start the last quarter with a bang. With 31 points 9/10 on shots including 6/7 on 3-pointers and 7/10 on throws, Eric Gordon was extremely clean!

« He was amazing », assures his coach. “Scoring 31 points in 10 shots is very impressive. Whenever we needed a shot, he responded. Or when we needed some penetration, he pulled that awesome pass to C-Wood for the baseline dunk. Eric was as good as ever, he was determined. « 

A Seattle duel

With a new career record of 32 points, plus 10 rebounds and 11 assists for the triple double, Dejounte Murray gave his Texas neighbors a hard time until the last minute.

In his fratricidal duel against Kevin Porter Jr., like him from Seattle, Dejounte Murray will still end with 19 points scored in the last quarter alone. Opposite, KPJ was not to be outdone, with two important 3-points in the « clutch » also, for 12 of his 18 points registered in the last quarter.

« I want to take on this new role of leader thoroughly, I want to be the best possible and make my teammates the best possible », reacted the Rocket. “I tried to put them in a good position. I didn’t shoot a lot, I think I finished with ten shots. I was not aggressive enough at the start of the game. I knew I had to be aggressive in the second half. And in the last quarter, it was time to play and I was in rhythm. I always wanted to take those shots in the important moments. I was confident and took the shots. «