Encore! Harden’s 2nd Straight Triple-Double, Green’s Heroics, Lift Rockets Over Grizzlies
The Beard did it again. No, he didn’t score 50 last night, but he did get his second consecutive triple-double. The league’s primary offensive force finished the game with 32 points, 12 boards, and 10 assists in what is slowly turning into another MVP season campaign for James Harden. The Rockets held off a 2nd half rally by Memphis to beat the Grizzlies, 105-97, and they looked exceptionally well in the first half, sitting on a 21 point-lead at halftime. In the 2nd half, the Grizzlies came out sharp defensively. Luckily for Houston, the Rockets were able to withstand any rally thrown their way. Gerald Green was a huge spar for the Rockets off the bench and and saved the game for Houston when it was becoming dangerously close in the 3rd quarter. Green finished with 17 points and had some of games biggest shots. Clint Capela had another double-double, along with Chris Paul. Great team workout from the Rockets and Chis Paul had another double and P. J. Tucker supplied all the action defensively. The first half of this game was the best Houston has looked all season. They came out very slow to start the 2nd half, only garnering 18 points in the quarter, Gerald Green (aka The Green Light) ignited the Rockets to move forward, hold the lead, and keep Memphis at bay. Green was efficient in key moments of the game. When the Rockets really needed a bucket, Green stepped up and lit a 3-ball to keep the Rockets ahead. Harden’s 2 straight triple-double will get all the headlines, but without Gerald Green this game could have been a disaster common to the Dallas heat breaker earlier this season. The Grizzlies cut a 21-point Rockets lead to 5 with a few minutes left, but James Harden and Chris Paul ensured the pace would be in the Rockets favor, and they would be in control of the game in the final minutes. Up next for the Rockets, they travel back home to take on the pesky Utah Jazz. Utah has three players who can beat you: Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, and Joe Ingles. Houston will have to continue to focus their tune on the defensive end in order to keep the winning ways if the Rockets want to move above .500 for the first time in nearly three weeks.