Rockets Bury Nuggets, 128-108, for Fifth Straight Win
Favorable Scratches. Mile High Beatdown. Road Warriors.
Favorable news came for the Rockets shortly before tipoff in the Mile High City. Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon were both late scratches before Wednesday night’s game. Houston didn’t waste any time taking advantage of a hobbled Denver team, as the Rockets buried the Nuggets en route to a 128–108 win in the Mile High City. Jamal Murray and Christian Braun led Denver with 22 points apiece, but the Nuggets were no match for a Rockets team with too much firepower. Jalen Green continued his superstar evolution. He scored 34 points to lead Houston, and most importantly, Green had another very efficient 10-for-16 shooting night from the field. Green’s been keeping the Rockets afloat despite the injuries during Houston’s five game winning streak, good for the longest current win streak in the NBA at the moment. The Rockets are now 8-0 when Green scores at least 30 points this season, proving how essential he is to this team’s success.
Houston has all the ingredients of a championship team, except for a true superstar leader. A closer. A finisher. The Rockets can survive when Green’s having an off night, but this team will only go as far as he takes them. Sengun is still Houston’s best player, but in a league where championship teams are led by perimeter-oriented superstars, the Rockets will need Green to take the mantle if they want to reach the top, and eventually have a chance at winning a title.
Sengun flirted with a triple double, registering 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. Amen Thompson didn’t have his best game, recording 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals, but Houston still thrives with Twin in the starting lineup. So far this season, the Rockets are an impressive 9-1 with Thompson in the starting lineup. Cam Whitmore had another solid game off the bench, scoring 16 points. The point per minute man has been taking full advantage of his increased playing time, displaying improved shooting accuracy and intensified defense.
The Mile High Beatdown marks Houston’s fifth straight victory, and seventh straight road win overall this season. After struggling mightily on the road last year, the Rockets are a different animal away from Toyota Center this season. With 13 road wins already under their belt this year, Houston’s nearly already matched their road win total of 14 victories from last season. And the Rockets won’t have to wait long to tie that mark. Houston plays the second half of a back-to-back tomorrow night, as they visit Sacramento to battle the Kings, exclusively on TNT. And playing in front of a national audience is a rarity for this rising Rockets squad. Expect another favorable result tomorrow night for a red-hot Houston team that’s primed and ready to shine under the bright lights of national television.