Houston rallies late, wins 118-113
3-pointers from Rockets versus Hornets
Feb 28, 2019, 10:08 am
Tim Warner/Getty Images
The Houston Rockets kicked off the first half of a back to back Wednesday night on the road versus the Charlotte Hornets. For the second time this week Houston struggled against an opponent that on paper seemed like an easy victory. The Rockets trailed through most of the game until a late rally and clutch free throws from James Harden sealed their third straight victory. Houston is now 36-25, first in the Southwest Division and fifth in the Western Conference.
Goofy uniform, serious game
The Hornets sported their throwback striped jerseys in celebration of their 30th season, and Kemba Walker made them look good. The three time All Star was disinterested in allowing the Rockets an easy win on his court, exploding for 35 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, and 5 steals. This marks the second straight game where the Rockets have allowed an opponent to score 35 or more points.
Foul Trouble and Big Boards
Kenneth Faried and Clint Capela have been adjusting to sharing the floor since Capela's return from injury after the All-Star break. Wednesday night provided no such opportunity, as "The Manimal" picked up four quick fouls and was relegated to eight minutes for the night. Capela seized the opportunity and crashed the boards in the sort of fashion fans had become accustomed to prior to his injury. Capela finished the night 10-16 from the field with 23 points and 17 rebounds.
Working through some things
Despite the streak ending Monday, Harden was once again back into 30-point territory, finishing with 30 points even to close out the night. Once again, however, Harden's performance beyond the arc was abysmal. The reigning MVP has acknowledged that his neck is still bothering him since sitting out Saturday night against the Golden State Warriors, and after a 1-11 three-point output Harden has now shot 1-21 on the week. While a slump like this is obviously concerning, it's hard to ignore the fact that he still put up 30.
Rockets Player of the Game
Clint Capela: 23 points, 2 assists, 17 rebounds, 1 block
Hornets Player of the Game
Kemba Walker: 35 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, 5 steals
Up next:
The Rockets host the Miami Heat tonight at 7 p.m. central
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.