| |
|
NBA -- Returning Howard leads Rockets past Nuggets, 108-96
By Adeline Deladisma
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 15 Dec 2014
HOUSTON -- In front of their 12th straight sellout crowd at the Toyota Center, the Houston Rockets defeated the Denver Nuggets 108-96 Saturday night.
The victory coincided with the return of Houston center Dwight Howard, who missed the previous 11 games due to a strained right knee.
The Rockets were paced by the NBA's leading scorer James Harden, who is averaging 26.4 points a game. Harden scrambled in the final nanoseconds of the game to grab his tenth rebound to secure the third triple-double of his career (24 points, 10 assists). He has kept his team steady in Howard's absence, leading Houston to an 8-3 record during that time.
The Rockets struggled early and watched the Nuggets build a lead that grew by as many as 10 in the opening minutes. Denver shot a high 60 percent from the filed during that span while Houston shot only 23.1 percent.
Houston found their rhythm in the second quarter and out scored Denver 33-17 to seize the lead at halftime.
Houston also got a lift from Donatas Motiejunas who scored a career high 25 points.
Darnell Arthur came off the bench for Denver and led in scoring with 20 points. Forward JJ Hickson (14 points, 10 rebounds) and guard Ty Lawson (19 points, 12 assists) each had double-doubles for the Nuggets.
Howard posted 26 points and 13 rebounds and played 30 minutes. He also surpassed 10,000 career rebounds in his return.
Head coach Kevin McHale offered his assessment. "Dwight was fantastic. It's hard to do that... to take that much time off and then come back and have any semblance of rhythm at all. He looked good and we'll just have to build from there."
And Howard's take?
"It's good being back on the floor." (AD)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Adeline Deladisma.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 19 MAY 2026: Davis Outpoints Albright; Kuse Dethrones Jerusalem; Donovan Defeats Chukhadzhian; Hrgovic Stops Allen
By Eric Armit, , Wed, 20 May 20262026 NBA Playoffs: Knicks Rally from 22 Points Down to Beat Cavs 115-104 in OT
By Reylan Loberternos, , Wed, 20 May 2026Filipino grabs second place in the National Canada Chess Challenge 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 20 May 2026Spotlight on Mexico City: boxers speak ahead of IBA Pro 18
, Wed, 20 May 20262026 NBA Playoffs: Wembanyama Outshines MVP Gilgeous-Alexander as Spurs Beat Thunder 122-115 in Double Overtime Thriller
By Reylan Loberternos, , Wed, 20 May 20260 MUST GO: SELDON JR. vs. POPPER — JUNE 13 AT THE TROP
, Wed, 20 May 2026CARL “THE COBRA” FROCH REUNITES WITH ANDRE WARD ON ART OF WARD FOR FIRST IN-DEPTH SIT-DOWN SINCE THEIR LEGENDARY SUPER SIX FINAL
, Wed, 20 May 2026BOXING LEGEND DARREN BARKER ANNOUNCES 'THE LONGEST ROUND' – A WORLD-FIRST ENDURANCE CHALLENGE FOR MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH
, Wed, 20 May 2026IBA stands ready to organise Jon Jones professional boxing fight in Russia
, Wed, 20 May 2026USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Earns Eight More Wins on Day Two at 2026 Copa America
, Wed, 20 May 2026QC ends PCAP Season 6 All-Filipino conference campaign
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 20 May 2026It’s in the blood
By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 19 May 2026“The fans will be the true winners” – Angel Ayala ready for IBA PRO 18 in Mexico City
, Tue, 19 May 2026Rematch option for Melvin
By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 19 May 2026World-class stablemates John ‘Scrappy’ Ramirez & Darius ‘DFG’ Fulghum fighting on same card Friday night in San Jose
, Tue, 19 May 2026Ignacio Defeats Malayan to Claim Title and USD 10,000 Prize
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 19 May 2026USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Dominates Day One of 2026 Copa America with 11-0 Record
, Tue, 19 May 2026Reina Tellez Returns to the Ring Following World Title Challenge Against Amanda Serrano
, Mon, 18 May 2026Mombay, Garras top Helubong 50km Uphill Ultra Challenge
By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 18 May 2026Arijan Goricki Knocks Out Hassan Ndonga in Nairobi
, Mon, 18 May 2026USA Boxing's High Performance Squad Sets Sights on Gold at 2026 Copa America
, Mon, 18 May 2026Team Sugar Rush wins Sir Jessie Villasin Chess Team 2X2 Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 18 May 2026Paolo Gallito, 6 others in the last 16 in Malaysia
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 17 May 2026Keyshawn Davis Returns Home With Decision Win Over Nahir Albright
, Sun, 17 May 2026Heartbreak in Johannesburg: Jerusalem Dethroned by Kuse in Bloody Rematch
By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 17 May 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
