Desperate was not an adjective anyone would have expected to use to describe the Rockets this early in the season. Certainly no one expected a Brooklyn Nets matchup in early November to be considered both a toss-up and a “must-win,” simultaneously, yet here we are. With their backs against the wall yet again, Houston swung back Friday night and finally notched their second win of the season, breaking a four-game losing streak with a 119-111 victory.
The easiest way to describe the Rockets’ performance is to equate it to an old lighter. The first two quarters provided flickers of last season's brilliance, but nothing lasted. The third quarter, however, was where Houston found its ignition point. It was then that the Rockets began to finally resemble what can only be assumed was the actual team general manager Daryl Morey was attempting to assemble this offseason.
The win couldn't come at a better time, as casual onlookers view a 1-5 team and assume the worst. Friday night's victory was proof that Houston's morbid start is the result of being a victim of inopportune circumstances, and nothing more.
Last Friday's blowout loss to the Clippers came with at least five contributors shelved due to injury. Tuesday returned front court help with Marquese Chriss. Friday saw the return of forward James Ennis III. While Chriss remains an experiment at best, Ennis contributed 19 minutes of rotation time which has proven in the past two weeks to be an invaluable commodity. Nevermind his two points. He helped keep the Rockets fresh finally.
It cannot be overstated how desperately Houston needed guard Eric Gordon to break out of his six-game shooting slump, and Game 7 of the season saw him do just that. While only connecting on 2-of-8 from three, Gordon still managed to convert 6-of-14 for 21 points and served as a key contributor in the Rockets’ win.
Carmelo Anthony was not signed to carry the Rockets. Anthony was brought in because of his potential to swing close games, a la Ryan Anderson. Tonight proved to be one such situation, and Anthony delivered with a season-high 28 points on 9-of-12 shooting, including 6-of-9 from three.
Chris Paul and Clint Capela each seemed to return to form as well, as Paul willed the Rockets to the win behind a 32 point, 11 assist virtuoso performance. Capela simultaneously erupted for 22 points and 13 rebounds.
The collective offensive awakening was only part of the equation, as Houston's initially porous defense suddenly clam-shelled, fueling a Rockets run to retake the lead to begin the second half. The Nets led by 14 late in the second, shooting 71.9 percent until the Rockets took a timeout and regrouped. From that point on, the Nets managed 35.8 percent from the field as Houston stormed back to claim the lead.
The fact that Houston is celebrating a Brooklyn Nets victory is an indictment to the state of the season currently, but sunnier days lie ahead. The Rockets expect to welcome back all-world guard James Harden tonight against the lowly Chicago Bulls in a - finally - very winnable contest. Houston now finds itself with a chance to not only notch a second-straight victory, but begin to build chemistry with a nearly healthy squad. The opportunity couldn't come a moment too soon, as the Rockets will have to jel on the fly while they play catch-up in what's shaping up to be a formidable Western Conference.
