Harden’s 40 Points Help Rockets Fend-Off Scrappy Pelicans, 117-109
Promising Future. The Return of Jimmy Edwards? Small Ballers.
The future face of the NBA swooped into Toyota Center on Sunday afternoon, for his first game in Houston. Duke’s Zion Williamson, the most anticipated rookie since LeBron James, had 21 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort, as the Rockets held off the Pelicans for a 117-109 victory at Toyota Center. Zion had a few highlight dunks in an efficient night, but the promising rook has a ways to go to reach his potential heights of greatness. James Harden bounced back, and comforted fans hopes that the Beard’s shaken out of his slump. Harden led Houston with 40 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 dimes. The Beard also shot an efficient 12-for-24 from the field, including 7-for-15 from downtown. Russell Westbrook and Ben McLemore finished with 22 points apiece for the Rockets, and Danuel House had a double-double, with 12 points and 12 boards. Houston held the Pelicans to 16 fourth-quarter points, and turned the defense up in the clutch. First-year All-Star and fellow Dukie Brandon Ingram, led New Orleans with 28 points, but it wasn’t enough, as the Rockets’ firepower kept the birds at bay.
With Clint Capela still sidelined due to injury, P.J. Tucker, at 6’6, was once again the tallest man to play for Houston. The Rockets are now 3-0 with their “small-ball” lineup, which consists of P.J. Tucker as the tallest player to suit up for Houston. This style has worked in the short-term, but only time will tell if it will have long-term benefits. I think it’s only going to wear down P.J. Tucker even more. Mike D’Antoni needs to give Isaiah Hartenstein some playing time. Harty’s been excellent when he’s seen the court. For some reason, the coach has refused to play a guy he called “Houston’s backup-center” earlier this season. Championship teams don’t win without an inside presence. Those Golden State championship teams still had key pieces, (David Lee, Zaza Pachulia, JaVale McGee, David West, Kevon Looney, etc.) that were forces in the inside, not just due to their hustle, but size. Come playoff time, this small-ball lineup will come back to haunt Houston if the Rockets don’t start preparing bigs for clutch moments in the playoffs.
Is James Harden Back? Too small of a sample size to exclaim that. But it’s certainly a good sign that the Beard is swooning back in the direction of efficiency. However, his last two games have been against the Pelicans, and the Luka-less Mavs. Not exactly towering, menacing opposition. Harden will get another “practice session” on Tuesday as the Hornets come to Houston. Charlotte is one the NBA’s worst teams, and played on Monday night. There’s no reason for the Rockets not to win by 30, and for Harden to regain his confidence and stroke he displayed earlier this season. It’s time for the Houston to gain momentum as we near the All-Star break. The Rockets got a solid win over Zion, the future face of the NBA, and the Pelicans. Now they’ll prepare to battle the team owned by the past face of the NBA, Michael Jordan, as his Charlotte Hornets come to town on Tuesday night.