Houston Rockets Close Seven-Game Homestand in Win Over Denver Nuggets
HOUSTON — Coach Ime Udoka understood that drawing up a defensive plan for Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić is a tough challenge. Udoka said the best thing for any team to do is "pick your poison" while hoping for the best.
The Rockets decided to allow Jokić to have a massive impact on the game with his scoring, which resulted in the Rockets recording their sixth straight win in a 107-104 victory over the Nuggets Sunday night.
Jokić finished with a game-high 36 points on 13-of-26 shooting. He also added 21 rebounds and 11 assists, but the Rockets improved to 6-3 on the season.
Jokić found his rhythm early inside the Toyota Center by scoring 16 points in the first quarter. He played all 12 minutes, which gave the Nuggets a 30-23 lead entering the second quarter.
The Rockets had a subpar start on both ends but were able to take advantage of the minutes Jokić sat on the bench. Houston began the second quarter on an 8-0 run. And by the time Jokić checked back in, the Rockets had a 31-30 lead at the 7:50 mark of the period.
Jokić re-established his dominance to help the Nuggets take a 50-46 lead into the half. But the four-minute stretch the Rockets had to open the second quarter was enough for Houston to gain the momentum.
The Rockets won the third quarter by two (28-26). They entered the fourth period down 76-74. But Fred VanVleet began the quarter by scoring six consecutive points, which gave Houston an 89-82 lead with 6:26 left in the game.
The Rockets held a 98-92 lead with three minutes left in the quarter, but the Nuggets went on a 10-5 run, which led to Houston leading 103-102 following a triple made by Jokić.
VanVleet nailed two free throws to give the Rockets a 105-102 lead with 19 seconds left. Jae'Sean Tate sealed the game with a huge steal on Michael Porter Jr.
VanVleet recorded his second consecutive 20-point game by scoring 26 points in the win. Alperen Sengun added 23 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles against Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) in the first quarter at Toyota Center.
Thomas Shea-USA TODAY
Rockets seven-game homestand comes to an end:
By defeating the Nuggets, the Rockets ended their seven-game homestand with a 6-1 record. Their lone loss came on Oct. 29 in a loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Up Next:
The Rockets will have the next four days off before kicking off a three-game west coast road trip, which will begin Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. They will then face off against the Lakers on Sunday night. The Rockets will end their three-game road trip Monday night against the Golden State Warriors.
Tip-off between the Rockets and Clippers is slated for 9:30 p.m. CDT inside the Crypto.com Arena.
