Rockets Cruise Past Kings, 129-112, Behind Rivers’ Career Night
Splashing Rivers. Mac and Threes. Kings of the Southwest.
“A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that,” the title character says in the legendary Western Shane. The quote brings to mind Houston’s most recent victory, a 129-112 pummeling of the Kings, in which the Rockets loaded guns continue to rarely miss. Houston trailed by 13 points early, as has been the case in every game in the bubble, except against L.A. Red Nation rallied once again, regrouping in the second quarter, snuggling a five-point lead by halftime. James Harden finished the contest with 32 points, and snatched 3 steals. Harden passed the legendary Bob Petit (the NBA’s first ever MVP) on the all-time scoring-list. The Beard now leads the league in scoring… and steals. And they say he doesn’t play defense. Harden also has the most blocks as a guard since his time in the league. Don’t believe me? Look it up. This victory, however, was about much more than the Beard. Austin Rivers became the fourth Rockets this season to hit the 40-point mark. Rivers scored a career-high 41-points on an insanely efficient 14-for-20 shooting, including 6-for-11 from distance. Austin used Westbrook’s absence to continue to be aggressive, and he put that tenacity on full display against Sacramento. A willingness to make isolation plays that Houston needs in the playoffs, when defenses will focus in on Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Eric Gordon.
Speaking of focusing in, Ben McLemore continues to be red-hot from beyond-the-arc. Benny Mac finished with 20 points, connecting on 6 of his 14 shots from long range, and continues to be the hottest three-point shooter in the bubble. The Rockets are now 8-0 when McLemore hits the 20-point scoring mark in a game. Hopefully Benny Mac doesn’t lose his rhythm when the squad gets back to full strength. McLemore’s minutes will decline, which will likely affect his shooting, just not by much (I hope). Westbrook returns Tuesday against the Spurs, and Eric Gordon is rumored to return Wednesday against the Pacers.
Eliminating Sacramento also gave Houston their third straight division title. The Rockets are the Kings of the Southwest once again. All it means is the Rockets have clinched at least a top-five seed going into the playoffs. With the Nuggets losing to the Lakers, the Rockets have a shot a grabbing the three-seed, and even with a little luck, the two-seed. But, in all reality, seeding doesn’t matter, the Rockets will have to play both L.A. juggernauts (unless one gets upset dramatically in the first round), to get to the NBA Finals. It’s not an impossible task. But they need to continue to put themselves in the best position possible. With teams like Utah and Oklahoma City losing to try and avoid a first-round matchup with Houston, if the Rockets can win their final three games, the Jazz or Thunder’s plan will backfire on them. Russell Westbrook returns for Houston in their next game Tuesday against a Spurs team fighting for their playoff lives. The Rockets can end San Antonio’s 22-year playoff run with a win. Although, Houston will be resting Harden. Brodie’s return should provide enough energy for the Rockets to get an early matinee win. Look for Benny Mac to continue to the baddest man on the planet from three-point land. And Austin Rivers ain’t too shabby from distance either. Remember that.