| |
|
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:
EUBANK JR VS. BENN GRAND ARRIVALS QUOTES , Wed, 23 Apr 2025Headlining again at home a dream come true for 16-0-1 junior middleweight Anthony Velasquez , Wed, 23 Apr 2025Amateur Standout Stephanie Simon Signs with Split-T Boxing Management , Wed, 23 Apr 2025The Past Week in Action 21 April 2025: Fundora KOs Badillo, Retains Undisputed Belts; Smith UD Germain; Kovalev Returns with a Win By Eric Armit, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025Bantamweight Anthony Garnica Scores TKO Against Aston Palicte to Remain Undefeated , Tue, 22 Apr 2025Higher Seeds New York, Denver Fall in Playoffs Second Games to Detroit Pistons, LA Clippers By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025Young Gildo: The Baguio Bearcat By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025Filipino International Master Paulo Bersamina places solo runner-up in the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open in Thailand By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025Female Amateur Boxing Star Sar’ai Brown-El Signs with Split-T Management , Tue, 22 Apr 2025Apolinario to fight Hu in Japan By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 21 Apr 2025Warriors Shoot Down Rockets, 95-85 as Celtics, Cavaliers, Thunder Take Care of Business By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 21 Apr 20252025 USA Boxing International Open Finalized on Saturday , Mon, 21 Apr 2025Verano to face Thai in Clash of Nations on April 24 By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 21 Apr 2025Masangkay to fight Ocampo in JAS on April 23 By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025Denver Holds Off LA Clippers in OT, 112-110 By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025Arca clinches 3rd and final IM norm; Guns for GM norm in last round By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025IN HER GOLDEN GIRL ERA: GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS UNDISPUTED TITLE AGAINST MARILYN BADILLO , Sun, 20 Apr 2025Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Titles; Perez Shocks Conwell in Oceanside , Sun, 20 Apr 2025Dalton Smith Drops Mathieu German Three Times, Retains WBC Silver Title , Sun, 20 Apr 2025Filipino GM Antonio beats Serbia's IM for share of lead in Caberra Chess Tournament By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN , Sun, 20 Apr 2025Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open , Sun, 20 Apr 2025FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside , Sat, 19 Apr 2025 |

|
|
|
|
|