Rockets Burn Suns From Deep, 149-113, Hit Three-Point Record
Break it Again. Crush City. Home Sweet Home.
You knew this was coming. Sooner or later, the Rockets would break their own NBA-record for three’s in a game. Houston had been teetering close to their own record of 26 in past games. They finally broke it last night. The Rockets hit an NBA-record 27 shots from beyond the arc, as Houston demolished Phoenix, 149-113, on Sunday night. James Harden was an assist away from a triple-double, finishing with 30 points, 13 boards, and 9 dimes. The Beard had plenty of help. Six other Rockets hit double-figures, and the squad cruised to victory, in a game that was never close. The win gave the Rockets their sixth in a row, the longest current streak in the league. Houston continues to take care of business with one game remaining on the horizon.
The Rockets became just the fourth team in NBA history to beat four straight opponents by at least 24 points. The other squads to do this? Two of Jordan’s Championship Bulls teams, and the 1992-1993 Houston Rockets, the season before Houston won their first title. Finally healthy, the Rockets have been absolutely crushing teams of late. They’re showing no mercy to the inferior opponents they were prone to playing down to earlier in the season. Hopefully, the squad can stay healthy, and carry this hot play into the postseason. Speaking of health, Mike D’Antoni, who hasn’t coached the last two games due to an illness, is expected to be back for the season finale. Coach has done a heck of a job this season, and Mustache Mike deserved a few games off. Hopefully, D’Antoni can recover fully in time for the playoffs.
After starting the season 0-4 at home, the Rockets finished the season with a 31-6 record at home. With the win in the Home-Finale, the Rockets clinched home court advantage for the first round of the playoffs. At the moment, Houston is third, but has a chance to get second, or possibly fall to fourth in a worst-case scenario situation. If the Rockets win their final game, they’ll guarantee themselves at least the three-seed. Houston in general has been on fire, currently owning the longest winning streak in the league, at six games. Up next: Houston’s final stop of the regular season. They travel to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder on Tuesday night. It’s a game that has pivotal implications throughout the jotted Western standings. It’s close, and Tuesday’s game is a vital game for the Rockets if they want to put themselves in the best playoff position. Both Houston and Oklahoma City are fighting to get the best seeding possible in a Western conference that’s been crowded the entire season. The Rockets and the Thunder, in Oklahoma City. A game with repercussions for both teams, and the entire conference. A lot is on the line Tuesday night. But, if you’ve been paying attention, you knew this was coming.