NBA: Rockets fight for victory in Denver – Warriors must tremble for a long time

The Houston Rockets have set a small exclamation mark and successfully mastered the hard away game at the Denver Nuggets. James Harden is thawing especially in the second half. The Golden State Warriors beat the Atlanta Hawks, but have to tremble longer than expected.

After five defeats, the Cavs once again won – even though several rotation players were missing with George Hill (thigh), Kyle Korver (foot), Cedi Osman (back) and also the long-term injured Kevin Love (foot OP). Other candidates, such as Jordan Clarkson, who played great as Sixth Man and scored 24 points, came into the spotlight.

Cleveland started hot and gave the Hornets 38 points in the first quarter, until the break the lead was even 21 points. Especially among the baskets the hosts had enormous advantages, because Tristan Thompson (11) set up a new career high with 21 rebounds.

In the end, the Cavs had grabbed 60 boards, the Hornets just 37. But that wasn’t the only problem the guests had that evening. 34.7 percent from the field were simply pathetic and franchise player Kemba Walker was no exception. The Point Guard caught a pitch black evening and finished the game with just 7 points (2/16 FG) and 6 assists.

The best Hornets player was Jeremy Lamb (22), otherwise only Nicolas Batum (11) scored double-digit. The Cavs had six players in Double Figures. Collin Sexton and Rodney Hood each scored 16 points, David Nwaba scattered 18 points from the bench.

It really wasn’t the best first half James Harden played in Mile High City. Only 3 points (1/5 FG) were scored and nevertheless the Rockets were only one point behind the third best team in the west so far. The nuggets simply couldn’t use it, because the role players of the Rockets got open throws again and again.

It came how it had to come. Harden turned up the heat after the change and put his team on the winning track. The bearded man had 22 points and 11 assists on his account at the end, and the last weak Chris Paul also scored 21 points. CP3 together with Clint Capela (24, 11/15 FG) provided the decisive push in the last minutes, so that the lead of the Rockets grew into the two-digit range.

The nuggets, led by Jamal Murray (15) and the strong Backup-Guard Monte Morris (19, 7/11 FG, 6 Assists), came close to six points again, but could not take over the command. But there was too much hitting in the defense, which exposed the Rockets again and again, even if the pace in the game was incredibly low.

Although the Rockets only scored 109 points, they scored a full 55 percent from the field. Isaiah Hartenstein had a good 11 minutes and scored 3 points (1/1 FG), 1 rebound, but also 2 ball losses. For the nuggets Nikola Jokic scored 14 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists.

In addition to Stephen Curry, the Warriors also lacked Draymond Green against Atlanta, who was internally banned from the game by the Dubs. Turns out it should still be enough against the Hawks. Jonas Jerebko started for the forward and the Swede made his best game for the champion so far.

In the end there was a strong double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds (plus/minus of +23, best value) for the former jazz player. Nevertheless, it was not a clear matter, because the guests played a good first half and never let it be completely demolished afterwards. This also included the traditionally good third quarter of the Warriors, which the champion won with 33:24 and extended the lead to 15 points in the meantime.

But Atlanta shortened the game a bit because players like DeAndre’ Bembry (13), Kent Bazemore (18) or Taurean Prince (22) played rock solid. Veteran Vince Carter also had some good moments with 11 points. This was not necessarily true for No.5-Pick Trae Young, who had big problems with his litter. In the end there were only 4 points (2/12 FG, 0/5 Dreier) and 9 assists.

Instead Jeremy Lin stood on the field in crunchtime and brought the Hawks back to 5 points 90 seconds before the end. But the champion still had a certain Kevin Durant, who closed the bag 40 seconds before the end with a jumper from the middle distance.

But it wasn’t the best game of the two-time final MVP, which needed some more throws than usual for its 29 points (9/23 FG, 0/3 threes). A little more efficient was Klay Thompson (24, 8/19 FG) and curry substitute Quinn Cook (18, 8/18).