Is he back to his old self?
How long can Russell Westbrook keep his hot streak up?
Dec 25, 2019, 8:51 am
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images
On the Jump today, Rachel Nichols, Kendrick Perkins, and Paul Pierce discussed why the Rockets were successful in their last four games. In the last four games, Westbrook has been extremely hot. He has averaged 32.3 points per game in the Rockets last four wins.
How has Westbrook been able to do this? Westbrook is finally getting comfortable in Mike D' Antoni's offensive system. He is shooting 45.4% from the field in the last four games. Westbrook has been able to use his speed and quickness to get the basket. Besides Westbrook getting to the basket, he has been able to find his infamous pull up jump shot again. It was never lost but rare when he took that. Recently, Westbrook has taken over games or made clutch shots. He has not been shy of the moment in recent games against the Kings, Clippers, and Spurs.
The Jump | Rachel Nichols Praises Westbrook turning corner offensively well-timed - Rockets victoryyoutu.be
It was almost concerning that Westbrook looked like a role player. He was never to be found in the fourth quarter. In fourth quarters, it was mostly James Harden taking over games. Westbrook was a bystander in the earlier part of the season. It seems now that Westbrook has gained most of his confidence back. He has given Rocket fans a reminder of what he was in Oklahoma City. It looks like Harden and Westbrook are finally on the same page.
If Harden and Westbrook remain on the same page, will this keep Westbrook scoring at a high rate?
The answer to that question is yes. Westbrook and Harden combined for a total of 266 points in the last four games. These two are causing the Rockets to play great basketball. The Rockets might have a chance at an NBA title if they keep this up. Since these two are on the same page, this has allowed the offense to be more successful. For Westbrook to continue his success he must stay aggressive and not let Harden forget about him.
Brodie: 35 points https://t.co/KQSZVhTnaB— Houston Rockets (@Houston Rockets) 1576820717.0
Westbrook has not looked this good since the first game of the season against the Milwaukee Bucks.
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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.