Harden and Westbrook combined for 72 points on 55.1% shooting as the Rockets secured a huge win on Feb. 22 in Utah, 120-110 (box score).
Both guards excelled on drives and from 3-point range, with Harden’s 38 points coming on 6-of-11 (54.5%) shooting from behind the arc. Meanwhile, Westbrook hit 2-of-4 (50.0%) on 3-pointers, representing his first game since Jan. 15 with multiple 3-point makes. The former MVPs and 2020 All-Stars also combined for 11 rebounds and 11 assists.
For the team, it was the seventh win in nine games by the Rockets, and it clinched the season series and potential tiebreaker versus the Jazz.
JAMES HARDEN.
RUSSELL WESTBROOK.
WHEW. pic.twitter.com/qnT72tvDhg
— Got No Games To CovAAAAHHHH (@NekiasNBA) February 23, 2020
Gordon and Ben McLemore each scored 12 points off the Houston bench, with McLemore making all four of his 3-point attempts.
Though the smaller Rockets were undersized with the 6-foot-5 Tucker starting at center against the 7-foot-1 Gobert, they only lost the rebounding battle by a 46-42 margin. Gobert grabbed just six rebounds in his 34 minutes, while Covington had 12 boards.
Houston dominated Utah on both ends of the court in a decisive third quarter, 38-19, and led comfortably for the final 12 minutes.
And on the other end, Robert Covington continues his run as an elite rim protector. pic.twitter.com/yB28vluwwD
— Got No Games To CovAAAAHHHH (@NekiasNBA) February 23, 2020
Houston made 20-of-48 shots from 3-point range (41.7%) as a team, while the Jazz hit just 7-of-31 on 3-pointers (22.6%). In addition to having more floor spacing on offense, the versatile frontcourt of Covington and Tucker allowed Houston to contest more perimeter shots on defense, too.
Covington also secured a game-high three blocks, representing his third consecutive game with at least three blocked shots.
[lawrence-related id=25386,25426]