Shorthanded Rockets Run Out of Steam, Fall to Pelicans, 127-112
Diamonds in the Rough. Splashing Return. Fuel Shortage.
They just didn’t have enough… literally. The Rockets fought hard through the first three quarters, holding a 7-point lead at the start of the fourth. But, shorthanded as they were, these Rockets didn’t have enough to close the contest with the game on the line. Without James Harden or Russell Westbrook, the Rockets lacked a dribbler who could make plays for himself and others in the clutch. Eric Gordon returned with his best game of the season, scoring 20 points on 50% shooting. But EG could only do so much. Especially when he was targeted by the New Orleans’ defense late in the game. Houston was outscored 41-19 by the Pelicans in the fourth quarter, as the Rockets fell on Saturday night in the Big Easy, 127-112. Despite the loss to another bad team, this one had some diamonds in the rough. Guys seized opportunities that granted them, with ferocity. Houston found their back-up center on Saturday night. Isaiah Hartenstein had the game of his life, proving he deserves a rotation spot. Hustlestein scored a career-high 19 points, and grabbed 9 boards. The big man’s hustle, along with stellar shooting by Chris Clemons, built the squad a comfortable lead, before things went south. CC3 scored 16 points, hitting some sensational shots from distance. Clemons showed he deserves increased playing time as well, but Houston’s deepest position is the guard spot. The rookie likely won’t see near the 34 minutes he led the squad with on Saturday once Harden and Russ return. If anything, this loss is proof of the Rockets’ depth. And Danuel House continues to have a breakout season, scoring 22 points, leading the way for Houston.
This contest slipped out of the squad’s fingertips, but once it was gone, it was too far gone. The Rockets went from leading by 9 early in the fourth, to trailing by 19 in a matter of minutes. E’Twaun Moore got red-hot for the Pels, and kept the game out of reach for Houston. Nonetheless, the undermanned Rockets fought admirably in a game where they were severely short-handed. Take Harden, Russ, and Clint Capela off Houston’s roster… and the Rockets aren’t winning many games.. anytime, anywhere. Saturday night’s defeat comes as no surprise. If anything could be considered a good loss, then this game would approach that territory. The surprise was how well the squad played through three quarters. Houston’s ball-movement, and all-around effort as a unit on both ends was exceptional. But the Rockets just ran out of gas. Once the Pelicans got back in the game, Houston didn’t have the usual closers, Brodie and the Beard, to counter when the goings got rough.
Eric Gordon hit his first three, the first made shot of the game, and looked very good in his first game back from a 22 game absence. This season’s verdict on Splash Gordon isn’t out yet. EG will need a larger sample size of game action. And the squad will look differently when he’s playing alongside Harden and/or Russ. His best two games of season were in New Orleans. Hopefully EG carries his Big Easy Groove back to Houston. The Rockets will need Gordon to step up once again in their next matchup. Harden and Capela are both questionable for Tuesday’s game against the Nuggets. Denver’s ahead of Houston in the seeding, by two games in the loss column. The Rockets need a monster performance from EG coming up as the Rockets return to host Denver for their annual New Year’s Eve game. It won’t be easy at all, as Houston ends the decade against a very good Nuggets team. But the Rockets should have Harden, or at least Capela, back. If not, Westbrook’s playing. So is EG. Playing in his first home game since the injury. Along with Houston’s “others”, who always play better at home versus the road. Put all those additions together… and that should be more than enough.