Tag: Eric Gordon

Rockets see ‘devastating’ potential in Harden, Westbrook, Gordon trio

For one of the first times this season, Rockets guards Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and Eric Gordon all played well at the same time.

Russell Westbrook has played excellent basketball in January for the Houston Rockets, but James Harden has been mired in a deep slump.

In December, both played well, but Eric Gordon missed nearly the entire month due to knee surgery. Before that, Harden began the season on fire, but Westbrook had an adjustment period after offseason knee surgery and acclimating to the first new team of his 12-year NBA career.

Gordon, meanwhile, struggled through injury in his first nine games of the 2019-20 season before shutting it down on Nov. 13 for surgery.

Those issues are precisely why Wednesday’s home win over Denver (30-14) was so encouraging for Houston (27-16). Beyond snapping a season-long losing streak of four games, it was also one of the only games this season that all three veteran guards played well at the same time. Each scored 25 or more points on efficient shooting of 44% or better.

After the game, Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni didn’t mince words when it came to the potential of that trio — led by a pair of former MVPs and future Hall of Famers in Harden and Westbrook.

D’Antoni said:

If we get those three to have a good game, we’re going to be tough. We’re good. We just have struggled with that.

When James is playing really well, Russ wasn’t playing well, and Eric was out. And now, James is not playing really well, and Russ is. But tonight, all three of them kind of got in it together. So you can see that. We can be potentially devastating. But potential means up to now, we haven’t done anything. That’s the definition of potential.

In a follow-up question, when asked whether it’s difficult to find enough shot attempts and possessions to consistently involve all three guards, D’Antoni downplayed that dynamic.

Houston’s head coach said:

You get what you got. James got 13 shots up, and Russell got 25. Some nights it’ll be that way, some nights it’ll be another way. It isn’t a sacrifice. You’re playing for the team. It’s what you’re supposed to do. If you’re open, you shoot it. If you’re not, you move it. Some nights you get more shots, some nights you get less. But anybody that looks at the stat sheet afterward, who cares? These are all, as they say, empty calories. They mean nothing.

Westbrook had 28 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists, and four steals in Wednesday’s victory, becoming the first Rockets player to post those numbers or better in those categories since Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon did it nearly 30 years ago on March 3, 1990.

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Since Dec. 16, Harden and Westbrook rank No. 1 and No. 3 in the NBA in scoring, respectively, with each at 30 points per game or higher.

For his part, Harden scored 27 points Wednesday on just 13 shot attempts, thanks in large part to his ability to earn 15 free throws (making 13). It’s just the second time in the last eight games that Harden, the league’s leading scorer, has exceeded 40% shooting from the field.

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But it was Gordon who may have been most impressive of all, setting season-highs with 25 points and six made 3-pointers. Gordon hit eight of 11 shots overall (72.7%) and six of his eight 3-point attempts (75%), with both percentages the best of any game in his 2019-20 season to date.

Speaking postgame, Gordon said:

I hit my first couple 3s early on, and I thought that was a good tone-setter for me. When I get going early, I feel good for the rest of the game. I just liked the flow of energy, and how we played tonight. That’s the kind of basketball we’ve got to get to, and play like that and sustain it every night.

We’ve got to get back in this flow where we’re unstoppable on offense and defensively, we’re like a pest. If we can do that, we’ll be good.

Since returning from knee surgery on Dec. 29, Gordon is averaging 16.4 points in 28.5 minutes per game on 39.4% 3-point shooting. In nine games prior to surgery in October and November, he scored 10.9 points in 29.4 minutes per game on just 28.4% shooting from 3-point range.

Led by their trio of veteran guards, the Rockets will look to build on their momentum Friday at Minnesota (15-29) as they kick off a four-game road trip. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central time.

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Russell Westbrook posts historic line as Rockets snap losing streak

In the win, Westbrook became the first Rockets player in nearly 30 years with at least 28 points, 16 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals.

Russell Westbrook led the way with 28 points and 16 rebounds as the Houston Rockets snapped a four-game losing streak with a 121-105 home victory (box score) on Wednesday night over Denver.

The win improves Houston to 27-16, while dropping the Nuggets to 30-14. It also gives the Rockets a 2-1 lead in the season series between the teams, which could be critical for potential tiebreaker purposes. The fourth and final game between them comes Sunday afternoon in Denver.

Backcourt co-star James Harden scored 27 points on 6-of-13 (46.2%) shooting, making it just the second time in eight games that he’s shot above 40%. Meanwhile, Eric Gordon had a season-high 25 points off the bench with a season-best 6-of-8 showing (75%) on 3-pointers.

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But Westbrook was the clear headliner. With 28 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists, and four steals, he was the first Rockets player to post those numbers or better (in those categories) since Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon. “The Dream” did that nearly 30 years ago… on March 3, 1990.

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Wednesday’s victory was the 200th win in Houston for head coach Mike D’Antoni. In his postgame remarks, D’Antoni said he recently told his team that they were struggling with defensive rebounding — to which Westbrook replied, “I’ll just go get them.” With 10 of his team-high 16 rebounds versus Denver coming on defense, he certainly did his part.

Besides his presence on the glass, Westbrook also played well as a floor general in leading the Rockets during minutes that Harden sat on the bench — as evidenced by his plus/minus total of +25, compared to +7 for Harden. In those bench minutes, Austin Rivers (11 points) played well in his return from a thumb injury with three makes in four 3-point attempts.

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The Nuggets were led by All-Star center Nikola Jokic, who had a triple-double with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.

The Rockets return to action Friday at Minnesota (15-29) to kick off a four-game road trip, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. Central time.

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Skid continues: Lakers suffocate Rockets with length, LeBron James

Russell Westbrook and James Harden scored 69, but the Lakers still beat the Rockets with ease. It’s the fourth Houston loss in five games.

The Rockets led by 11 points in the first half and by six at halftime, but the Los Angeles Lakers crushed them with a defining 32-17 third quarter in a 124-115 victory at Houston (box score).

The Lakers (34-8) won for the 10th time in 11 games, while the Rockets (26-15) lost their third straight and for the fourth time in five games.

With Houston’s season at the halfway point, the Rockets now trail top-seeded Los Angeles by 7.5 games in the Western Conference standings.

The Lakers didn’t have star big man Anthony Davis (bruised tailbone), but led by an all-time NBA great in James, they still overwhelmed the Rockets in the second half with their collective length and defensive ability.

Russell Westbrook led the Rockets with 35 points (15-of-23 shooting), nine rebounds, and 7 assists, while James Harden had 34 points and seven assists. Though Harden still leads the NBA in scoring by a huge margin, his recent shooting slump continued, and particularly from behind the 3-point arc — where he made just two of nine shots (22.2%).

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Eric Gordon and Danuel House Jr. struggled off the bench, making just five of their combined 17 attempts (29.4%) from 3-point range. Many of those were wide open off attention drawn by Harden and Westbrook.

The Lakers were led by 31 points and 12 assists from LeBron James. Kyle Kuzma, who started in Davis’ place, had 23 points, while Danny Green and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope each scored 20. Former Rockets center Dwight Howard had 10 rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench.

Overall, the Rockets just didn’t shoot nearly well enough to offset the superior size of the Lakers. The Rockets made 12-of-37 (32.4%) of their 3-point shots, compared to 11-of-33 (33.3%) from the Lakers.

Westbrook and Harden compensated for the subpar perimeter shooting by attacking the basket successfully in the first half. But the Lakers closed off the driving lanes more in the second half, and the Rockets simply lacked the perimeter shooting to overcome it.

In desperate search of a win to stop the recent slide, Houston continues its season-long homestand of four games with a Monday matinee versus Oklahoma City (23-19). The Thunder are the team that started the team’s current downturn by routing the Rockets nine days ago.

Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. Central from Toyota Center.

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Eric Gordon joined some of NBA’s best shooters after 1,500th 3-pointer

Rockets guard Eric Gordon is one of 14 active players to have made at least 1,500 career 3-pointers.

Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon had surgery on an injured right knee near the beginning of the season, but recently he’s gotten back to his old form of being one of the Rockets’ most productive shooters.

During the Rockets’ loss Wednesday to the Portland Trail Blazers, Gordon shot 46.2% from the 3-point line and scored 20 points.

His solid performance also included him recording his 1,500th 3-pointer, an achievement that put him among some of the NBA’s best 3-point shooters. According to Justin Kubatko of Stat Muse, Gordon is the sixth-fastest player in league history to total 1,500 3-pointers.

Steph Curry is the fastest with 477 games, and the rest of the top five is Klay Thompson, Damian Lillard, Paul George and James Harden.

With Gordon in his 12th season, he is one of 14 active players who have made at least 1,500 career 3-pointers. He ranks 13th among active players in made 3-pointers.

Gordon returned from rehabbing his knee injury Dec. 29, when the Rockets played the New Orleans Pelicans. According to The Athletic’s Alykhan Bijani, Gordon is scoring 17.3 points per game and shooting 39.1% on 3-pointers in the seven games he’s played since returning from injury.

As Gordon starts to return to his typical production, that should make for good fortune for the Rockets, a team that needs its shooters like Gordon to contribute.

Though Gordon has shot 33.6% from the 3-point line this season, he’s shot 37.2% for his career. The Rockets will play the Los Angeles Lakers in Houston on Saturday.

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Blazers ground Rockets despite Westbrook’s 31-point triple-double

Russell Westbrook led Houston with a 31-point triple-double, but James Harden scored a season-low 13 in a lethargic home loss to Portland.

Russell Westbrook was spry after resting Tuesday, but the rest of the Houston Rockets were far from that on Wednesday’s second night of a back-to-back, leading to a lethargic 117-107 home loss to Portland.

It’s the third loss in four games for the suddenly slumping Rockets (26-14), while the Trail Blazers (18-24) won their second straight (box score).

Westbrook had 31 points (50% shooting, 40% on 3-pointers), 12 assists, and 11 rebounds, but backcourt co-star and NBA scoring leader James Harden struggled mightily with a season-low 13 points on 3-of-12 shooting (25%). Harden played 39 minutes on night one of the split back-to-back in a loss at Memphis, and he looked worse for the wear.

Eric Gordon and Ben McLemore combined for 37 points and 11 made 3-pointers, but it wasn’t nearly enough to offset Harden’s struggles. Starting center Clint Capela had 14 points and a game-high 18 rebounds.

Defense was a big problem for Houston, with Portland’s trio of Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, and Carmelo Anthony combining for 67 points. McCollum and Anthony shot 57.1% between them, and 50% on treys.

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Though Portland led for the entire second half, Houston cut the lead to five points midway through the fourth quarter. However, Lillard blew by Harden on both occasions, leading to open corner 3-pointers for McCollum and Anthony to put the game away.

Head coach Mike D’Antoni was much later than usual in arriving to his postgame press conference, and he was clearly not pleased by his team’s showing in Wednesday’s nationally televised game.

Considering Houston’s upcoming opponents, this was not a good game to let slip away at home. Six of the Houston’s next eight games are against playoff teams in the Western Conference, beginning with a visit from the West-leading Los Angeles Lakers (33-7) on Saturday night.

Harden scores 41, but Morant leads surging Grizzlies past Rockets

With Russell Westbrook (rest) out, a combined 64 points from James Harden and Eric Gordon weren’t enough against Ja Morant and Memphis.

With Houston guard Russell Westbrook out to rest on the front end of a back-to-back, backcourt co-star and NBA scoring leader James Harden broke 40 points for the fourth time in seven games.

But it wasn’t nearly enough on the road against Rookie of the Year frontrunner Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies (19-22), who extended their impressive winning streak to six games in a 121-110 victory over Harden’s Rockets (26-13) on Tuesday night (box score).

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The Grizzlies were led by their lightning-quick point guard with 26 points and eight assists on 10-of-11 shooting (90.9%), including 3-of-4 on 3-pointers (75%). Backcourt mate Dillon Brooks wasn’t far behind, scoring 24 points on a blistering 6-of-10 clip (60%) from 3-point range.

With Morant setting the tone, Memphis took advantage of leaky transition defense to outscore Houston, 25-7, in fast-break points.

Harden had 41 points, six assists, and six rebounds, and the Rockets were a +3 in the 39 minutes played by the former MVP. Eric Gordon also shot well with 23 points on 9-of-19 shooting (47.4%) off the bench.

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But unlike recent games, when Westbrook had significant success leading the Rockets’ lineups with Harden on the bench, Houston was outscored by 14 points in the nine minutes that Harden sat on Tuesday.

The Rockets simply lacked the scorers in those minutes without Harden to keep up with Memphis’ blossoming young talent in the form of Morant, Brooks, and a pair of athletic forwards in Brandon Clarke and Jaren Jackson Jr., who combined for 29 points.

On the interior, Clint Capela fared well with 16 points (6-of-7 shooting, 85.7%) and 16 rebounds, but he missed time in the second half due to foul trouble with five fouls. Starting center Jonas Valanciunas led the Grizzlies with 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting, or 57.1%.

Memphis won the fourth and final quarter, 36-27, to put the game away. It’s the second loss of three games for Houston, and the eighth win in a 10-game stretch for the red-hot Grizzlies.

The Rockets have a quick turnaround before their next challenge, which takes place Wednesday night from Toyota Center in Houston against the Portland Trail Blazers (17-24). Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Central, and the game will be nationally televised on ESPN.

Westbrook is expected to return to the starting lineup for that game.

As knee improves, Eric Gordon makes second start for Rockets

Reserve guard Eric Gordon has been a much improved 3-point shooter for the Houston Rockets since his recent return from knee surgery.

In a six-game span since returning from knee surgery, Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon will make his second start Tuesday night in Memphis.

Gordon is starting in place of Russell Westbrook, who is sitting out for planned maintenance on night one of back-to-back games.

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Gordon isn’t likely to remain in the starting lineup long-term, but his availability for extended minutes does reflect his improving health.

Speaking at Monday’s practice in Houston before the team’s departure for Memphis, Gordon said of his condition:

It’s progressing. It’s definitely getting better. Like I said, there’s going to be ups and downs along the way. But down the road, it should be just continuing to get better, and I am feeling better.

Unlike last week, when he sat out in Oklahoma City on Thursday after playing at Atlanta the night before, Gordon plans to play in both ends of this week’s back-to-back on Tuesday in Memphis and then Wednesday at home versus Portland. “I’ve just got to contine to get better conditioning, and playing back-to-backs will only help,” Gordon said at practice.

To this point, Gordon’s biggest improvement since returning to the Rockets (26-12) has come in the form of 3-point shooting.

In nine games before undergoing surgery in November, Gordon averaged 10.9 points in 29.4 minutes on 28.4% shooting from 3-point range.

Entering Tuesday, in five games since returning, Gordon has averaged 15.6 points in 26.9 minutes on 38.6% 3-point shooting.

In Saturday’s 30-point home win over Minnesota, Gordon scored 17 points in 26 minutes and tied his season-high with five made 3-pointers.

When asked postgame about Gordon’s contributions and his health, Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni said:

I think the knee is good. I’m glad he had a really good second half that he can play on that. He’s going to go through some — you know, he hadn’t played with a good knee for about six months, and then he was out for six weeks. So he’ll have ups and downs for a while. But we don’t have to worry about Eric. He’ll be there.

Gordon will start Tuesday alongside James Harden, Ben McLemore, P.J. Tucker, and Clint Capela. In addition to his offensive contributions, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Gordon regularly draws the defensive assignment of Rookie of the Year frontrunner Ja Morant, as well.

Tip-off between the Rockets and Grizzlies (18-22) is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central from FedExForum in Memphis.

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Rockets start Ben McLemore over Danuel House Jr. at small forward

The Rockets (25-12) changed their starting lineup Saturday by inserting Ben McLemore at small forward over the slumping Danuel House Jr.

The Houston Rockets started Ben McLemore over Danuel House Jr. at small forward in Saturday afternoon’s home game versus Minnesota.

It’s a big change for the 26-year-old House, who entering Saturday had started 29 of the 31 games that he had played in the 2019-20 season.

But the native Houstonian has been mired in a deep slump of late, shooting 31.8% from the field and 26.7% on 3-pointers in his last four games. He also had an emotional outburst earlier this week in Atlanta.

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Over that same four-game period, McLemore shot 50% from the field and 48% on 3-pointers, averaging 9.5 points in 22.2 minutes per game. The former 2013 NBA Draft lottery pick started Saturday alongside usual backcourt starters Russell Westbrook and James Harden.

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The Rockets did win three games in that four-game stretch, but the 21-point loss at Oklahoma City (22-16) was one of their worst performances of the entire season, In particular, offense was a big problem, with the Rockets (25-12) scoring just 67 points in the first three quarters and making just seven 3-pointers in their first 33 attempts (21.2%).

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For the season, McLemore ranks second in the entire NBA in net offensive rating. In 37 games (eight starts), the 26-year-old is averaging 10.0 points in 23.9 minutes per game on 36.5% shooting from 3-point range.

At 6-foot-3, McLemore’s presence in the starting lineup will make the Rockets smaller than they usually are with the 6-foot-6 House. But Mike D’Antoni seemingly believes that the upgrade on offense is worth it. It’s unclear whether the move will stick on a long-term basis.

Tip-off between the Rockets (25-12) and Timberwolves (15-22) is scheduled for 4 p.m. Central from Toyota Center. Isaiah Hartenstein will start at center over Clint Capela (heel injury), while Eric Gordon will play off the bench for Houston after a one-game absence due to a sore knee.

All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns is out for Minnesota due to illness. Entering Saturday’s game, the Rockets had won 15 straight games (including the 2018 playoffs) against the Timberwolves in Houston.

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Eric Gordon not on Rockets’ injury report for Minnesota game

Rockets guard Eric Gordon (knee) isn’t on the injury report for Saturday’s home game, while center Clint Capela (heel) is questionable.

Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon is not on the team’s initial injury report heading into Saturday’s game versus Minnesota, which would presumably mean that he is set to return after a one-game absence.

Gordon sat out Thursday in Oklahoma City with right knee soreness. It’s the same knee the 6-foot-3 reserve guard had surgery on earlier in the season, and he’s still working his way back into optimal condition.

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In a pregame interview, head coach Mike D’Antoni referred to Gordon’s soreness as “normal” and “nothing out of the ordinary,” and that appears to indeed be the case with Gordon set to return Saturday.

Per D’Antoni, Gordon reported some soreness in the knee after Wednesday’s game in Atlanta, when he scored 17 points in 30 minutes during a 122-115 Houston victory. The 31-year-old helped secure the game with a big 3-pointer with just over two minutes left.

Since returning from surgery on Dec. 29 in New Orleans, Gordon has averaged 15.3 points per game in 27.1 minutes on an efficient 38.7% shooting clip from behind the 3-point arc.

That’s much improved from his production prior to surgery, when Gordon averaged 10.9 points in 29.4 minutes on 28.4% 3-point shooting.

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As expected, starting center Clint Capela is listed on the initial injury report as questionable due to a right heel contusion. D’Antoni said postgame in Oklahoma City that it was unclear whether Capela would play Saturday, citing the lingering injury. If Capela is unable to go, 21-year-old seven-footer Isaiah Hartenstein would likely start in his place.

With tip-off scheduled for 4 p.m. Central, the next update on Capela’s status will likely come when D’Antoni meets with reporters at 2:15 p.m. for his pregame media session at Toyota Center.

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The Rockets (25-12) enter Saturday’s game having won 12 consecutive home games over the Timberwolves (15-22), and 15 straight if you include three games from the 2018 playoffs. All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns is questionable for Minnesota with a sprained left knee.

 

Clint Capela still battling foot injury, could miss more time

Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni isn’t sure if Clint Capela will play Saturday versus Minnesota, citing a lingering foot issue.

A night after posting 22 points and 22 rebounds in a win at Atlanta, starting center Clint Capela never seemed to have the same energy in Thursday’s blowout loss by the Houston Rockets in Oklahoma City.

Facing off against veteran big man Steven Adams, Capela had eight points (3-of-8 shooting) and 11 rebounds in 29 minutes, while Adams had 15 points (6-of-8 FG) and 8 rebounds in 25 minutes. Overall, the Thunder outrebounded the Rockets, 52-39 — even though Oklahoma City entered the game as one of the league’s worst rebounding teams.

Though Adams did play well, it seems there may have been another reason for Capela’s regression from the prior game. According to head coach Mike D’Antoni, the 25-year-old still isn’t over the right heel contusion that cost him two games in late December.

Moreover, because of that issue, Capela’s status is uncertain for the team’s next game on Saturday at home versus Minnesota (15-22).

D’Antoni said postgame:

This is the tough part of the schedule. We’ve got a couple guys banged up a little bit.

Clint has his foot issue. We’ll see Saturday if he can go or not. But it’s been lingering, and he can’t quite get it well yet. So we’ll see.

Reserve guard Eric Gordon also missed Thursday’s loss with right knee soreness, which D’Antoni had said was “nothing out of the ordinary” coming off knee surgery and an extended layoff of more than six weeks.

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Saturday afternoon’s matinee will be the third game in less than four days for the Rockets (25-12), which may make it difficult to push the envelope on any player with a nagging injury. If Capela was to sit Saturday, he could get nearly a full week of rest in total between Wednesday’s outing in Atlanta and the team’s following game next Tuesday in Memphis.

Even while dealing with the lingering heel issue, Capela has had several strong games — including Wednesday’s showing in Atlanta and a career night with 30 points and 14 rebounds against All-Star big man Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers in a victory last Friday.

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But it seems the Swiss big man may not be able to fully shake the injury without a more extended period of rest. If Capela sits out Saturday, 21-year-old seven-footer Isaiah Hartenstein would likely start in his place.

Though the Rockets are not practicing Friday, they will issue an injury report during the day — which could include the next update of Capela’s status for Saturday’s early game.

Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. Central from Toyota Center in Houston.

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