[5-0] Houston Rockets 107-87 Minnesota Timberwolves [1-5]
The Wolves lost! Shocking! | One advantage the Wolves did have was rebounds, they had 57 as a team.This game was a rebound fest to the Wolves, nothing else. They had 57 rebounds compared to the Rockets' 42, and that's because the Rockets played this game in an up tempo style, leading to more shots, and more misses for them. The Wolves did have the lead for brief periods in the first half, but in the second half, the Rockets came out and anhilated them. The Rockets will now start a three-game road trip, and this easy win is a nice momentum builder to prepare for it.
Player of the Game-
Kevin Martin
22 points | 3 assists | 2 rebounds | 3 blocks | 3 steals
(too many 2's and 3's if you ask me)Key Performers:Rockets:Kyle Lowry - 16 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
Aaron Brooks - 14 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block
Yao Ming - 14 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 6/8 FG
Timberwolves:Wesley Johnson - 26 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Kevin Love - 16 points, 22 rebounds, 1 assist
Michael Beasley - 12 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
22 35 25 25 10718 29 14 26 87[6-0] Houston Rockets 100-88 Washington Wizards [1-4]
Ra$hard Lewis played as big as his $contract$ this game. | The Rockets' froncourt owned the Wizard's frontcourt through foul trouble.If it wasn't for the foul trouble of Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee, the Rockets would not have been able to cruise in this game. Off the bench came Trevor Booker to the rescue, providing 13 points. Despite the foul trouble, the Wizards were able to keep up with the Rockets; they tied the game at halftime, thanks to Rashard Lewis, who shot 13/28 from the field, and 4/13 from the third dimension, good for a game high 30 points. Now, about John Wall, he had a bad game, only two points on 1/7 shooting. He still has a lot to prove in this league.
In the third quarter, the Rockets took complete control of the game, and the lead eventually ballooned to 18. The Wizards were able to cut down on the lead during garbage time, but like the T-Wolves game, the Rockets were just too much.
Player of the Game-
Kevin Martin
22 points | 4 rebounds | 1 assistKey Performers:Rockets:Luis Scola - 16 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals
Chase Budinger - 12 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 5/7 FG, 2/3 3P
Aaron Brooks - 8 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 2/7 FG
Wizards:Rashard Lewis - 30 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 13/28 FG, 4/13 3P
Trevor Booker - 13 points, 6 rebounds
Andray Blatche - 10 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 5 fouls
32 20 27 21 10029 23 16 20 88 [7-0] Houston Rockets 98-88 Indiana Pacers [2-4]
Superstars continue to have excellent nights on us | Kevin Martin continues to be unstoppable!Other than Danny Granger and TJ Ford, no other Pacer showed up against the Rockets. With Darren Collison injured, the Pacers looked to TJ Ford to run the offense, and he did it the right way. Both he and Granger combined for 60 of the Pacers' 88 points, and they also both had double-doubles.
The Rockets had complete control in the first half, but in the third quarter, the Pacers came out and made a big run. The Rockets were leading by eight going into the fourth quarter. Thanks to the Rockets' backcourt of Kevin Martin and Aaron Brooks, they were able to take care of business in the fourth, coming away with the W, their eighth in a row.
Both teams had 15 turnovers each in this game, with the Pacers having 12 steals and the Rockets 10. "This was a sloppy game. The defenses were more prepared than the offenses. Still, it doesn't matter how sloppy a game is, what matters is the win," Yao Ming said after the game. He's been able to play in six of the eight games that the Rockets have played this season. The only two games he missed being back-to-backs.
"I don't think anyone expected us to start this well, we've faced three contenders so far, and held our own against them. I have high hopes this season, hopefully this streak can continue for us," head coach Rick Adelman said in the post-game press conference.
Player of the Game-
17 points | 9 assists | 7 reboundsKey Performers:Rockets:Kevin Martin - 22 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Courtney Lee - 16 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Pacers:Danny Granger - 34 points, 17 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block
TJ Ford - 26 points, 2 rebounds, 12 assists, 5 steals, 7 TO
26 31 19 22 9816 24 28 20 88