Rockets Sting Hornets in OT, 146-143, Notch 2nd Straight Win
Super Six. Earning It. Streaking.
In an offensive showcase, the Rockets and Hornets fought all the way into extra time to determine the victor. And for the second straight game, Houston came away with the win, beating Charlotte, 146-143, in an OT thriller at Toyota Center. The Rockets started the game hot, scoring more points in the first quarter than any period this season, taking a 43-30 lead after one frame. Despite grabbing a 17-point edge at one point, and leading for most of the game, Houston couldn’t swat Charlotte away, similar to a pesky Hornet. Charlotte had four players score over 20 points, and LaMelo Ball just missed that mark with a 19-point triple-double for the Hornets. “Scary” Terry Rozier continued to have the hot hand for the Bees, leading Charlotte with 31 points. Gordon Hayward scored 21 points, and Miles Bridges suppled 22 points for the Hornets as well. And Kelly Oubre Jr. was stellar off Charlotte’s bench, adding 23 points. However, Houston countered with six players scoring at least 15 points, as the Rockets had their best shooting, and offensive game, of this season. The squad nailed a season-high 23 threes, en-route to a monster 146-point outing.
Christian Wood led Houston with a monster double-double, scoring 33 points and grabbing 16 boards. Kevin Porter Jr. had his second straight solid game after coming back from a three-game absence due to injury. KPJ just missed a triple-double, finishing with 23 points, a season-high 12 assists, and 8 rebounds. Eric Gordon continues to quietly have a great season. EG scored 22 points and dished out 7 assists. Jae’Sean Tate bounced back from two sub-par performances with a 16-point outing. Armoni Brooks, who continues to excel with more minutes, hit five threes for 15 points on the night. And Garrison Matthews, starting his first career game for the Rockets, scored 20 points, and continues to be a pleasant surprise after coming up from the G-League.
A few weeks ago, Matthews didn’t have an NBA job. Now, he’s earned rotational minutes. Coach Stephen Silas said after the game, “When you call up a two-way guy, you usually don’t expect him to make the main playing group. But he’s earned it.” Indeed he has. From his ability to take charges, to hitting big three-point shots, Matthews has shined in the role Houston’s asked him to fill. Including the Rockets last game, where he hit the biggest shot of the season, “Gritty Garrison” has shown a P.J. Tucker-like knack for knocking down the corner three. Hopefully Matthews continues to see minutes on a crowded roster with plenty of young guys fighting for playing time. For the second straight game, Daniel Theis and David Nwaba didn’t play, due to a coach’s decision. It will be interesting to see how long Silas stays with his smaller lineup.
In limited minutes, Alperen Sengun continues to awe with his play, looking like the steal of the draft at the 16th spot. Sengun had some dazzling passes, and his court awareness is next-level. It’s a tough job juggling all these young players for Houston’s coach Stephen Silas. But it’s easier at the moment with Jalen Green out with an injury. However with more guys showing they deserve more minutes, it only makes Silas’ job more difficult when Green returns.
So after going a month without a victory, the Rockets are streaking for the first time this season after notching their second straight W on Saturday night. And for also for the first time, after a brutal first-quarter to the season schedule-wise, Houston has a few winnable games coming up. Not to get greedy, but the Rockets could legitimately push this winning streak to five or six games. Up next, Houston has back-to-back games with the Thunder, followed by home matchups with the Orlando Magic and the New Orleans Pelicans. Orlando and New Orleans have the worst-records in the league after the Rockets. And Houston’s already blown out Oklahoma City once in the home opener. Although they lost the other matchup this season to the Thunder, if the Rockets keep playing with this passion, they have a chance to take both games, and win the season series with OKC. Houston showed resilience in their win over the Hornets. The Rockets led 120-103 in the fourth quarter, yet Charlotte stormed back to send the game to overtime. Earlier in the season, Houston’s young core would’ve probably squandered the game, but the Rockets showed resiliency and truly earned the win on Saturday night. Despite the easier schedule on the horizon, Houston still needs to play with this sense of urgency in order to earn more victories in the NBA. In this league, especially during a season of unforeseen parity, nothing’s given… the Rockets will have to earn every single win.