| |
|
NBA - Harden launches 31 points as Rockets beat OKC, 112-101
By Franco Ching Alsay PhilBoxing.com Fri, 16 Jan 2015

HOUSTON -- The Houston Rockets used a 40-18 first quarter burst to upend a well-rested Oklahoma City Thunder, 112-101, on Thursday night at the Toyota Center.
James Harden led Houston's balanced attack with 31 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Trevor Ariza had 17 points and four steals while Jonas Motiejunas tallied 14 points and four boards.
Dwight Howard, Patrick Beverley and Josh Smith each had 13 points for the Rockets, who made 41 of 86 percent from the field (47.7 percent) and 16 of 36 from above the 3-point line (44.7 percent).
It was a good bounce back win for the Rockets, who bowed to the Orlando Magic, 120-113, on Wednesday night.
OKC, which came off of a five-day layoff, got 24 points from reigning MVP Kevin Durant's 24 points on 8-for-12 shooting. But it wasn't enough spark to beat a well-rounded Rockets team that is 14-6 at home and 28-12 overall.
Russell Westbrook finished with 16 points and eight assists for the Thunder while Reggie Jackson pitched in 16 points, six assists and six rebounds, but OKC struggled on the field, making only 35 of 81 shots.
"We got to do a much better job and with a sense of urgency, we can't give a high power offensive team a lot of easy looks" Thunder head coach Scott Brooks told reporters during his post-game press conference..
With the loss, the Thunder's record fell to 18-20 and 3.5 games behind the 23-18 Phoenix Suns for the eighth and last playoffs berth in the highly-competitive Western Conference. (FA)
Photo: James Harden's 31 points was more than enough to power the Houston Rockets past the OKC Thunder, 112-101, at the Toyota Center.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Franco Ching Alsay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
WILL CARL JAMMES MARTIN LIVE UP TO EXPECTATIONS? By Rene Bonsubre, Jr., Fri, 15 Feb 2019Bacon and Francisco Score Wins By , Fri, 15 Feb 2019Peñalosa 126, Cárdenas 126 for WBO Oriental; Casimero, Yamashita, Martin On Weight for Saturday's Action on ESPN5 Philippines (PHOTOS) By Carlos Costa, Fri, 15 Feb 2019PEÑALOSA AND CARDENAS MAKE WEIGHT FOR WBO ORIENTAL TITLE CLASH By Rene Bonsubre, Jr., Fri, 15 Feb 2019Floyd Mayweather Says He's Fighting Again In July for $10 Mil By , Fri, 15 Feb 2019BoxNation to Air Friday Night’s ShoBox: The New Generation Telecast from Kansas Star Casino By , Fri, 15 Feb 2019CASIMERO TARGETS THE BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION By Rene Bonsubre, Jr., Fri, 15 Feb 2019Weigh-In Results: Brant-Baysangurov, Greer-Escaner and Mayer-Larios By , Fri, 15 Feb 2019SHOHJAHON ERGASHEV vs. MYKAL FOX OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND QUOTES By , Fri, 15 Feb 2019Anthony Joshua Wants Wilder-Fury Winner This Year, Says Promoter Eddie Hearn By , Fri, 15 Feb 2019COHEN CONGRATULATES CO-PROMOTER SALITA AND HEAVYWEIGHT CHALLENGER JARRELL ‘BIG BABY’ MILLER FOR SECURING THEIR DREAM FIGHT AGAINST UNIFIED HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION ANTHONY JOSHUA By , Fri, 15 Feb 2019ANTHONY JOSHUA TO FACE JARRELL MILLER IN U.S. DEBUT AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN By , Thu, 14 Feb 2019ANTHONY JOSHUA TO FACE JARRELL MILLER IN U.S. DEBUT AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN By , Thu, 14 Feb 2019Cancer survivor ready to rumble again By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 14 Feb 2019Marcial says no to pros, eyes Olympics By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 14 Feb 2019North Cotabato's Edgar Reggie Olay clinches Singapore chess title By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 14 Feb 2019Rob Brant, Mikaela Mayer, and Joshua Greer Jr. Host "Clinic With The Pros" in Hinckley By , Thu, 14 Feb 2019March 30: Gvozdyk-Ngumbu Tops ESPN Bill at 2300 Arena in Philadelphia By , Thu, 14 Feb 2019Floyd Mayweather Gunning to Sign Zion Williamson to The Money Team By , Thu, 14 Feb 2019Fire Fist Boxing fighters set for UFC Fight Pass bouts in St. Petersburg By , Thu, 14 Feb 2019Rising Prospect Ricky Medina Returns to the Ring Feb. 23 in Floresville TX By , Thu, 14 Feb 2019ANDREW 'THE MONSTER' MOLONEY GEARING UP AHEAD OF WBA WORLD TITLE ELIMINATOR IN CHILE By , Wed, 13 Feb 2019The Past Week in Action 12 February 2019 By Eric Armit, Wed, 13 Feb 2019Help unbeaten Mark Magsayo out of the freezer By Recah Trinidad, Wed, 13 Feb 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|