Rockets Sting Hornets, 114-101, for Opening Night Revenge
Queen City Payback. Slam Whitmore. Wrapped Up.
In their final game before Christmas, the Rockets dominated the Hornets en route to a 114-101 victory in Charlotte on Monday night. After losing to these same Hornets on Opening Night in Houston, the Rockets finally doused out some payback to Charlotte in the Queen City. The final score isn’t indicative of how dominant Houston was in getting their revenge. The Rockets made sure this game was over by halftime. Houston closed the first quarter on a 19-5 run to take control of the game, and by halftime they doubled up Charlotte, with a 62-31 lead headed into the break. The 31 points are lowest the Hornets have scored in a first half all season. And Charlotte never really got close to threatening Houston’s lead in the second half. The Rockets played a dominant first half defensively, but the Hornets were also really, really bad. The fans in Charlotte even booed near the end of the second half, and as the players headed into the locker rooms at halftime. Houston did seem to be fueled by something a little extra, motivation for that embarrassing loss to start the season on Opening Night. As a result, the squad got some much-needed revenge in the Queen City over the struggling Bees.
Jabari Smith Jr. scored 21 points and grabbed 11 boards to lead a balanced scoring attack for the Rockets. Five Houston players scored at least 16 points in a game that saw Tari Eason sidelined once again due to lower leg injury management. Hopefully Eason will be healthy after Christmas, as the Rockets will have two days off before their next game. In his third starting appearance of the season, Amen Thompson was brilliant once again. The Terror Twin scored 19 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, dished out 3 assists, and had 3 blocks. Thompson continues to excel this season, but even more when he gets the rare opportunity for a starting role. In a late addition to the injury report, Dillon Brooks also didn’t play in this game. The Villain’s injury isn’t considered serious, and he should be available after Christmas.
Cam Whitmore had by far his best game of the season. In 27 minutes of action that included some flashy dunks, Whitmore registered 17 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block. These last two games are proof that Whitmore should remain a part of the rotation for the remainder of the season. Granted the Rockets have had Eason out for the last few games, and Brooks tonight, but Whitmore has shown his energy on defense and in transition cannot be caged on Houston’s bench. He simply makes winning plays, and Head Coach Ime Udoka has finally realized the importance Whitmore brings to the Rockets.
Houston has now played its final game before Christmas. The Rockets have won their last three games as we head into the brief, two day long Christmas break, but it’s a gift for Houston’s fans with this squad playing so well, and wrapping up the wins they should over inferior teams. Houston is now 20-9 on the season, still good for second place in the Western Conference, with the Memphis Grizzlies breathing down their backs, only a half-game back, in third place. The Rockets next game will be against the Pelicans in New Orleans on Boxing Day, to close up this three-game road trip. And on the day after Christmas, Houston should be able to gift their fans another present with a win over the Pelicans, the worst team in the West.