Rockets Weather Storm, Edge Thunder, 112-106
Better by the Dozen. Hard Hats and Lunch Pails. Deja Gordon.
For the second straight game, Eric Gordon notched a season-high, scoring 25 points, as the Rockets staved off the Thunder, 112-106, for their second consecutive victory. EG led Houston with 25 points, but it was Tari Eason’s hustle and determination that was at the heart of this victory. Eason had a career-high 20 points, and 13 rebounds, including 12 on the offensive glass. Tari was a beast on the boards all night, even grabbing four offensive rebounds on a single possession. Eason provided his third straight double-double on Wednesday night. The Rockets managed to survive once again without their starting backcourt, Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr., once again. KJ Martin finished with 18 points and 7 boards, as he’s slowly becoming the most consistent Rockets player this season. KJ’s evolution from fighting for a rotation spot, to being a key piece of this Houston team, is the best story of this grim season for the Rockets.
Including the victory in Detroit, the Rockets have been playing much harder basketball. Strapped with their hard hats and lunch pails, this team has been playing with an edge unforeseen from the squad this season. Houston even managed to contain one of the NBA’s hottest players, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA was held to 24 points, 6 below his average of 30 a night. The Rockets did a great job of not allowing him to explode for a big game.
Eric Gordon has consistently been a solid veteran presence for this young Rockets squad. With Green and KPJ still out, EG has picked up the scoring slack, as he’s led the team in scoring the past two games. Up next, Houston welcomes the Toronto Raptors to town on Friday night. The Dinos are on on the outside-looking in at the playoffs in the East, but they’re not far from sneaking in. Expect a much tougher game for the Rockets on Friday night.