Boogie Nights: Cousins, Gordon, Lead Rockets’ Route of Mavs, 133-108
In and Out. Turning Back the Clock. Built Different.
“Honestly, I came here to play with John Wall,” declared Marcus Cousins the night before James Harden was dealt in the blockbuster trade of the season. And with Victor Oladpio resting on the second night of a back-to-back, John Wall made a surprise appearances the Rockets smashed the Mavs, 33-108, on Saturday night. Wall missed the previous five games for Houston, and his presence defiantly had an effect on Boogie’s dominant night. Cousins loves playing with Wall, as they’re both stylish, and can be sneaky force to be reckoned with when both players are clicking. Chhristian Wood remained out with an injury, leaving the short-handed Rockets to pull off an improbable blowout-win.
Boogie had his best game in nearly two years, as Cousins put up All-Star numbers with 28 points, 17 rebounds, and 5 assists. Once again filling in for a depleted backcourt, Eric Gordon had 28 points, including some vicious drives to the hoop. Wall started but played only 20 minutes, finishing with 7 points and 8 dimes. Houston will try and ease him back into action to prevent any further injuries. David Nwaba had 18 points, and Mason Jones once again proved why he deserves to stay with the squad scoring 16 points. Hopefully, the Rockets have been convinced that Jones earns a roste spot. The duo combined to shoot a stellar 12-for-15 from the field, including connecting on 5 of their shots from beyond the arc.
This was arguably the Rockets best win of the season. Short-handed on the road. The second night of a back-to-back. Against a likely playoff team this season, in Dallas. Houston didn’t just win, they gave the Mavs a 25-point beatdown. Besides Gordon, Cousins, Nwaba, and Jones, Jae-Sean Tate and P.J.Tucker fueled the squad’s energy, and finished with 6 points east. In what perhaps was the highlight of the game, K.J. Martin Jr. climbed “Boban Mountain”, blocking 7’4 Boban Marjanovic in the second quarter. Martin Jr. finished with 8 points in his best game of the young season.
Victor Oladipo and John Wall could play together for the first time on Tuesday night, when these built-different Rockets host Russell Westbrook and the Washington Wizards. It’s a big-time game, as Brodie visits Houston for the first time since he was traded for… John Wall… in the offseason. Who won the trade? It’s tough to tell at the moment. Both players have missed significant time with injuries. However, I think Wall fits Coach Stephen SIlas’ system better than Westbrook. Therefore, I think Houston made the right swap.. if Wall can stay healthy. And the Rockets need more vintage Boogie Nights like the performance from Cousins on Saturday. Well.. Houston has the guy Boogie came to town to play with, the same man ready to battle Russell Westbrook in a heated Tuesday-night thriller… John Wall.