Houston’s Third-Quarter Collapse Allows Warriors to Demolish Rockets, 113-87
Third Time’s Not the Charm. Fiery Chef. Hateful Eight.
It all seemed to be according to plan. Houston seemed poised to win consecutive games for the first time in months. The Rockets led by six points heading into halftime, after a respectable 31-point second quarter. However, once again, if anything has been the team’s achilles’ heal this season on the court it’s been their performances in coming out of the half. Houston has been a miserable third quarter team all season, and managed a dismal 12 points in the period. Combined with Houston’s 20 point fourth quarter, and the Rockets scored 32 points in the entire second half, after putting up 31 in the period before the break.
It didn’t help that Steph Curry scored 23 of his 30 points in then third, after getting off to a miserable start from the field. Once Curry warmed up, the momentum swung permanently in Golden State’s direction, and the Rockets had no answer, and were struggling mightily offensively. Houston’s usually consistent duo of Christian Wood and Kelly Olynyk had subpar outings, and Kevin Porter Jr., after the most emotional game of his life, was due for a “back-to-earth” performance, scoring an average 16 points. This being the game after The Black Joker broke a record previously held by the face of the NBA, and in some eyes, the greatest player of all time, LeBron James. The Rockets hope KPJ has plenty more 50-Burgers up his sleeve in the future. Porter’s gargantuas meal just might be the fuel Houston’s future success.
We’re down to the hateful eight. With only eight games remaining, the Rockets goals should be to play as hard and work on chemistry on both ends of the floor. The game results don’t matter at this point. As long as Houston is improving, win or lose…the Rockets future will be going according to plan.