After 8 wins, the Houston Rockets lost to Denver Nuggets this Wednesday night. James Harden and Russell Westbrook didn’t have enough support from their teammates, thus suffering a defeat in Colorado, 105-95.
Only three players among the guests from Texas had a double-digit number of points. That was pretty much what separated these two sides, with the Nuggets having more of those guys. Also, Houston’s poor three-point percentage was hurting the guests, who ofter forced downtown shots, without any need. In the end, the Rockets were 11 for 37 from behind the arc, 29.7%.
The Nuggets created the gap between them and the Rockets on two separate surges in this game. The first was during the middle of the first, once they came back to erase Houston’s early lead. Denver managed to hold the guests without a single basket for 5 1/2 minutes, scoring 15 unanswered points. Following this sequence, the hosts were ahead, although the guests made several pushes to close that lead.
The next run was in the third period, once Mike Malone’s crew made 16-3 burst, killing the morale of the Rockets. After coming down to only two points, Houston was suddenly trailing 77-62. After that it was no looking back for the hosts, who closed this game without any particular troubles.
Jokic Leads the Way for the Nuggets
Their leading player tonight was the All-NBA center, Nikola Jokic. The Serbian fella dropped 27 points and had 12 rebounds, scoring each time when needed. He was also the biggest weapon of his team and the reason for a massive advantage in the paint. Denver scored 60 points under the rim, while Houston had just 38.
Will Barton added 15 buckets, while Paul Millsap had 11. Jamal Murray was quiet against Harden and Westbrook, adding just 10 points and shooting 4 for 16 from the field.
On the other side, the Beard added 27 buckets, also having 7 rebounds and assists apiece. Westbrook was right behind with 25 points. Them two were 16 for 38 from the field combined. We need to mention Clint Capela’s fantastic 21 rebounds.
The Rockets (11-4) now travel to Los Angeles to face the Clippers, while on the other side, the Nuggets have three games at home coming up. Against the Celtics, the Suns and the Wizards.