Rockets vs. Spurs Post-Game 12/16/19

Comeback Kids:  Rockets Rally From 25-Point Deficit, Stun Spurs, 109-107

Monday Night Madness.    A Tale of Two Halves.    Superheroes.

Here is the thing about power. What good is power, if you got nobody to share it with?” the protagonist asks in Shazam!, a 2019 comic-book film about a kid-turned-adult superhero. And on Monday night, the Rockets played like a bunch of kids in the first half. Houston trailed by 14 points after the first quarter, with sloppy plays, and a lack of all-around focus. JamesHarden even dribbled the ball off his leg at one point with little defense around. The squad’s deficit reached 25 points, and Houston looked left for dead. But these Rockets weren’t staying grounded on Monday night. The Beard and Brodie led a monstrous comeback as Houston rallied to top the Spurs, 109-107, in another crazy game at Toyota Center on Monday night. Last Monday it was heartbreak at the buzzer, this week brought the biggest comeback in franchise history. It’s been an emotional roller coaster at both ends of the spectrum for Houston the past two home games. This Monday they survived, and they wouldn’t have done it without their own superheroes, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Westbrook kept the Rockets within striking distance in the first half, as the Beard had his worst half of the season, garnering 9 points on a miserable 4-of-17 shooting. If it weren’t for Brodie, Houston would have been too far behind to come back. Westbrook was the main source of offense for the Rockets in the first half. However, they play two halves for a reason in this sport, and this game was truly a tale of two halves.

After a terrible half, the Beard got his superpowers back after intermission. Harden shot 6-for-12, scoring 19 points in the second half, as the Rockets came back to exact revenge on the Spurs. Houston played amateurish in the first half, but returned as superheroes for the second, pulling off one of biggest comeback the city’s ever seen. The Rockets gave up 35 points to San Antonio in the first quarter. In the second half, Houston’s defensive intensity returned, allowing only 35 points for the rest of the game. Harden scored 28, with 8 boards and 7 assists, but the story of the game was Westbrook. Brodie had another stellar outing, notching 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 dimes. Westbrook shot 11-for-25 from the field, but only 1-for-7 from long range. Brodie’s decision making has improved. He’s slowly learning to take advantage of biggest strength, and drive it the basket, instead of settling for three’s on the perimeter, Westbrook’s weakness. Clint Capela registered 15 points, grabbed 15 boards, and swatted 3 shots. The big man had another reliably solid game. The 20/20 streak has ended, but the Big Swiss is still a big presence for Houston in the paint. Although, improvements can still be made. The Ben McLemore Breakout Season continued on Monday night. Benny Mac shot 4-for-9 from deep, and finished with 17 points in 28 minutes. McLemore has excelled since getting the opportunity to start, after House missed a few games with the flu. Benny Mac has played the role of Eric Gordon while EG has been nursing an injury, emerging as a reliable 3-and-D perimeter oriented player for Houston. Gordon is expected to return around Christmas, and it will be interesting to see how EG’s return affects McLemore’s play. Despite getting off to a sluggish start to the season, Gordon is a necessary piece to the squad if they want to win the title. Before Splash Gordon went down, McLemore was an afterthought, someone who’d rarely see playing time. Benny Mac’s seized the opportunity with the increase in his role, and proved he belongs to stay in the rotation. After watching the chemistry between McLemore and Harden grow, it’s hard to envision Houston without Benny Mac in a pivotal role.

The Rockets flipped the script on the Spurs after San Antonio rallied from 22-points down, with the help of a controversial dunk-not-dunk, to beat Houston in this season’s first matchup between these rivals back in the Alamo City. On Monday, the Rockets were the ones who rallied, and left the Spurs stunned. These Texas rivals have produced two exciting thrillers in the first two matchups. Houston won’t play San Antonio again until April, when they play the Spurs twice in their final five games of the regular season. It’s a long way from April, and the playoffs. For now, the Rockets have work to do, despite the positive result. Houston almost lost another game in disappointing fashion. Since their 11-3 start, the Rockets are only 7-6, and have played .500 basketball. It’s time to etch out of their current state of mediocrity. I can’t think of a better matchup to bring out the best in Houston than a Thursday night date against the blood-rival Clippers, with a national audience watching. Everyone asked if Harden and Westbrook could share the ball and play well together. It’s still a work in progress, but they’re improving, despite what the record says. When Houston passes more and everyone’s involved, the entire squad’s play improves. Westbrook has quietly strung together a very impressive run of performances. Over the last five contests, Brodie is averaging 27 points on 54% shooting, while also getting around 8 boards and 7 dimes a night. Superstar stats. James Harden finally has someone with whom he can share his power. The power that comes with being an NBA superstar, a superhero in a league where they’re few and far between. Despite all the adoration the Beard receives, Houston can’t forget about its other superstar. The Rockets don’t win this game without Westbrook, and they don’t win it without Harden either. The pair’s ability to play off each other kept Houston alive against the Spurs. As Monday night in Houston showed… what good is power if you got nobody to share it with?