Rockets Drop Tightly Contested Match to Nuggets, 95-94
Third in a Row. Mile High Heartbreak. Theis, Theis, Baby.
For the third consecutive game, the Rockets held a halftime lead. And yet again, the dreaded third quarter was then only period in which Houston was outscored, by a mere 2 points. Nonetheless, in the squad’s closest game of the season, the Rockets fell short in Denver, 95-94, to the Nuggets. Houston had a chance to win on the final play, but Jae’Sean Tate’s shot attempt was blocked by Nikola Jokic as the buzzer sounded. Why Coach Stephen Silas didn’t call a timeout isn’t known. I assume he didn’t want Denver to get their defense set. What followed was a wild play by Houston. Eric Gordon drove to the basket, and dished to Jae’Sean Tate in the crowded paint area. Jokic was able to swat the shot as time expired. EG had a great look at a floater in the lane, but instead drove into traffic, where the Rockets had trouble getting the final shot off.
Nonetheless, this was the best game Houston’s played all season. The Rockets took better care of the ball, committing 17 turnovers, less than average for Houston. Granted, the Nuggets shot the ball terribly, until the final three minutes, but the Rockets almost pulled off off the impressive upset. The squad didn’t seem too affected by the altitude, and they held Denver to only 95 points. Unfortunately, Houston couldn’t score in the final minutes. The Rockets led 94-89, before Aaron Gordon hit back-to-back threes to put the Nuggets on top for good. Jokic paced the Nuggets with 28 points and 14 boards, on a night when they really struggled shooting the ball. Houston will turn right around, and play again Sunday night, as they conclude their road-trip in San Francisco against the Warriors. This young group can’t afford to let this heartbreaking loss linger for long. This isn’t Houston’s first close loss, but compared to their 119-117 defeat in L.A., this definitely stings more.
Daniel Theis, a game-time decision leading up to tip, decided to play, and it paid dividends. Theis had his best game as a Rocket, leading Houston in scoring with 18 points. Eric Gordon chipped in with 12 points, and Christian Wood secured another double-double, finishing with 12 points and 17 boards. Jalen Green struggled once again, scoring only 9 points. Kevin Porter Jr. also had difficulties with only 6 points on the board. As a team, this was a game the Rockets let slip out of their fingertips. The bench played relatively well, led by K.J. Martin’s 11 points. Houston will conclude their road trip on Sunday night in the Bay area, as they take on Steph Curry and the Warriors. Golden State is off to a hot start, tied for the best record in the West. It will be Houston’s first back-to-back game, so the Rockets have the odds against them. Regardless, if they play with then toughness and energy they displayed in Denver, they have a chance to upset arguably the best team in the West.