|
 Harden flirted with a triple-double and the Houston Rockets rode
the wave of a blistering first quarter to a 112-101 victory over the
Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night at Toyota Center.
Harden totaled 31 points on 9-for-15 shooting, a game-high 10
assists and a team-high nine rebounds as the Rockets (28-12) placed
all five starters plus reserve forward Josh Smith (13 points, seven
rebounds) in double figures. Their initial burst energy and
prolonged execution proved vital and served as a stark contrast to
Wednesday night when the Rockets' early lethargy played a role in a
120-113 loss to the Orlando Magic.
"That's the beauty of this team. We could be so good," said Harden,
who tallied an NBA-best 17th 30-point game. "At times we have mental
lapses to where we let teams get comfortable. That was one of the
cases last night. Tonight we came out with some energy and played
very well."
Despite having enjoyed a five-day layoff since their last game on
Jan. 9, a 99-94 victory over Utah, the Thunder were sluggish out of
the blocks.
 Harden keyed a 16-0 run with two 3-pointers and an assist on a dunk
by center Dwight Howard at the 7:24 mark that built the lead to
16-4. Houston upped that advantage 15 on steal and dunk by forward
Trevor Ariza and led 40-18 at the end of the first, their
highest-scoring period this season.
"We struggled getting back," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "We
struggled covering the 3-point line. They were getting everything
they wanted in the first quarter. Forty-point quarter, we just can't
have that."
It took Harden going to the bench in the second quarter for the
Thunder to work their way back into contention, with forward Kevin
Durant, who tallied just one point and missed both of his shot
attempts in the first quarter, coming alive when the deficit sat at
45-20.
The Thunder reeled off a 16-5 run that included a three-point play
from center Kendrick Perkins, two Durant 3-pointers and transition
dunks from Durant and reserve guard Reggie Jackson. After slicing
the deficit to 10 points, the Thunder remained within striking
distance until the Rockets reclaimed a 20-point lead behind another
run in the fourth.
Thunder guard Russell Westbrook drilled a jumper with 11:20 left
that pulled Oklahoma City (18-20) to within 88-78. The Rockets
responded with a 12-0 rally that included consecutive baskets from
Smith and a 3-pointers from forward Donatas Motiejunas that silenced
the Thunder for good.
[to top of second column] |
"We made timely baskets," Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. "We kept
doing what we were doing. We were pretty committed tonight to moving
the ball, which is good."
Ariza and Motiejunas scored 17 and 14 points respectively for the
Rockets while Howard and guard Patrick Beverley chipped in 13
apiece. Howard added eight rebounds and three steals.
Westbrook finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and
five steals but also eight turnovers. Durant had team highs of 24
points and 10 rebounds while Jackson and guard Dion Waiters added 16
each.
"They were coming off a back-to-back and we were coming off rest. It
looked like it was a little flip-flopped," Jackson said. "Probably
due to their loss in Orlando, they were fired up coming into their
building. Things didn't start off well and it really affected us the
entire game."
NOTES: Despite battling a bruised left knee, Rockets G Patrick
Beverley made his 20th consecutive start. ... Rockets G Jason Terry
returned to the rotation after getting Wednesday night off in
Orlando for rest. ... Against the Magic, the Rockets recorded at
least 20 turnovers for the 10th time this season and fell to 6-4 in
such contests. ... The Thunder used the five days off between games
to focus on competing collectively, something they were unable to do
given their early-season injuries and rotation juggling. Included in
that goal was the acclimation of G Dion Waiters, acquired from the
Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 5. Waiters played just two games with
the Thunder before the scheduling quirk.
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
