Rockets Stifle Gobert, Silence Jazz 125-98
Hardefense. Greenlit. Resilient Rockets.
The most unpredictable season in recent memory continued on Saturday night as the Rockets rolled into Utah and blasted the Jazz, 125-98, in Salt Lake City. Both teams were on the second night of a back-to-back, but Utah had the advantages. The Jazz played at home the previous night, and had a much healthier roster than the depleted Rockets. Houston stepped up and played with more energy and a sense of urgency in order to build a lead relatively quickly. Their team defense was stellar all night, on switches, communication, and attacking Utah’s offense. And the Unguardable Tour continued. James Harden had his 19th 40-point game of the season, and arguably his most impressive stat-line of the campaign. The Beard finished with 43 points, 12 rebounds, 5 dimes, 6 steals, and 4 blocks. Harden came a swat away from setting the record for most points scored with a 5×5 stat line. James was all over the place on defense, and had a few great plays stifling Gobert in the post. It’s about time people shut up about Harden not playing defense. James had another stellar defensive outing to go along with his offensive prowess. It’s hard to get 4 blocks, even harder to get 6 steals. Harden did both in the same game. The Beard’s been playing exceptional on both ends of the court all year, but only gets the credit on defense when the stat line produces evidence, per usual. All that matter for the Rockets is that their star continues to play at this level, and when healthy, this team will start to get closer to their potential. As a team, the squad needs to keep playing hard defense, it can’t just be an occasional trend for the Rockets.
Houston kept control of the game because the bench showed up, finally. The Rockets bench had 45 points, including a season-high 25 from Gerald Green. The Houstonian had the green light to let it fly from deep, and it worked for the Rockets. Green went 7 of 12 from beyond the arc, and his energy was infectious, as Houston allowed really clamped down on defense. Just the night before, in Denver, the Rockets gave up a whopping 83 first half points. More than some teams score in an entire game. Houston brought more effort on the defensive end, and it showed in Salt Lake City. Kenneth Faried also outplayed Rudy Gobert. The Manimal posted 16 points and 12 boards, while holding the Stifle Tower to only 10 points. Rivers had 16 off the bench, and Ennis started the game for Houston and contributed aggressive energy for the squad.
Salt Lake City on Saturday demonstrated the resiliency of this Rockets team. When their backs have been against the wall, Houston has pulled through every time this season. See their games on 1/3 against the Warriors, 1/25 against Toronto, and now Saturday night in Utah as proof of this squad’s resiliency. Chris Paul didn’t play in any of those games, the Rockets 3 most impressive victories this season. Clint Capela didn’t play in 2 of them. If Houston can stay healthy, they’re potential to do damage in the postseason is the highest it’s been in the Harden-era. And the Beard’s “Unguardable Tour” doesn’t look to be coming to an end any time soon. Despite all the bad losses, with some luck in the health department, the Rockets have an honest chance to be even better than last year’s team come playoff time. Next on the schedule, Houston travels to Phoenix to take on the Suns, the worst team in the West. The Rockets should pounce on the Suns early, like they did to the Jazz, and cruise to an easy victory over inferior competition. This game should be more predictable… but as this season’s come to prove, anything could happen.