Rockets Blast Cavs, 141-113, In Complete Team-Effort
Again. Garbage Time. Looking Ahead.
The Rockets made easy work of the Cavs on Friday night at Toyota Center. Houston put Cleveland away early en route to a 141-113 victory, in a game that was never close. James Harden led the way with 43 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 dimes. The Beard had his 4th career 40-point triple-double, and he managed to do it in only 30 minutes of action, becoming the first player in NBA history to accomplish the feat. Harden passed T-Mac for sole possession of 2nd place for most games in a row with 30 or more points, doing it for the 15th consecutive game. Six Rockets finished in double-figures and 9 had at least 7 or more points. It was a total team effort for Houston, as they had no problems with one of the league’s worst teams.
Garbage time even produced promising results, as Marquess Chriss and Brandon Knight both had their best games in Rocket uniforms. Houston did what they were supposed to do. Put away a bad team early and finish the job so everyone can get playing time and your starters can get rest. It was a solid close, and complete team effort to close out the first half of the season by the Rockets.
Up next for Houston, the second half of the season begins. Looking ahead, the schedule is not as difficult as the first half, yet many tough games remain to be played for the Rockets. Up next, the Rockets travel to Orlando to face the Magic. Orlando sits on the outside looking in and probably won’t make the playoffs this year. Although, they boast one of the best big men in the league, Nikola Vucevic. Vucevic is having a career season in a contract-year, and will pose another huge challenge to Clint Capela on the inside. The Rockets should be able to handle the Magic, like they did Cleveland, and put them away early for a win to start the second half of the season.