Tag: Nikola Jokić

Takeaways: Alperen Sengun learns in losing battle with Nikola Jokic

Denver pulled away from Houston in Monday’s second half, but it was a valuable learning experience for Alperen Sengun (18 points in 23 minutes) versus Nikola Jokic.

The Nuggets pulled away from Houston in Monday’s second half, leading to a 129-113 Denver victory (box score), but it was a valuable learning experience for second-year Rockets center Alperen Sengun versus back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.

Sengun had a team-high 18 points (50% FG) and 7 rebounds in 23 minutes, with most of Houston’s regulars not returning to the game in the fourth quarter due to a lopsided score. On the other side, Jokic showed his MVP chops with 32 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists in just 27 minutes, shooting 11-of-17 (64.7%) from the field.

“I was excited to play against him,” Sengun said postgame of the matchup with Jokic. “I’m learning. He’s a good post-up player, and I’m learning how I can guard when they’re playing post-up.”

Backcourt star Jamal Murray added 31 points for the Nuggets (13-7) on an 11-of-17 shooting line identical to Jokic’s.

Jalen Green had 17 points and 7 assists for the Rockets but struggled to shoot, making just 5-of-15 from the field (33.3%) and 1-of-7 on 3-pointers (14.3%). Rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr. had 9 points and 3 rebounds on 3-of-4 shooting (75.0%), though he played only 17 minutes. For the Rockets, it was the third game in four nights and one at high altitude, which likely contributed to the decision by head coach Stephen Silas to limit minutes for many regulars.

Scroll on for highlights, analysis and postgame interviews. Houston (5-15) plays game two of its four-part road trip with another matchup at Denver on Wednesday, with tipoff again at 8 p.m. Central.

Rockets improving by becoming one of NBA’s best rebounding teams

Led by Alperen Sengun, the #Rockets now rank third in the NBA in rebounds per game, and it’s played a huge role in their recent wins. @BigSargeSportz has more on their improvement:

HOUSTON — On Saturday, Rockets fans inside Toyota Center had a chance to witness something they haven’t experienced from their professional basketball team in almost a full calendar year.

A winning streak.

The  Rockets had not won consecutive games at home since their seven-game winning streak in 2021 from late November to early December. During that span, Houston won six games at home.

After back-to-back wins over the Atlanta Hawks and Oklahoma City Thunder, the resurgent Rockets (5-14) are looking to work out some of the early season crinkles that caused them to lose a number of close games during a tough schedule to start the 2022-23 season.

Houston found itself down by as much as 16 points midway through Friday’s third quarter before fighting back to defeat the Hawks. On Saturday, the Rockets jumped to a big early lead that ballooned to 27 points, leading to an easy win over the Thunder.

The main reason the Rockets were so successful was the concerted effort they put into crashing the glass. In those games, Houston held a distinct advantage in the rebounding category, 112-69. Houston (46.9 rpg) ranks third in the NBA behind the Milwaukee Bucks (48.6) and Memphis Grizzlies (48.2).

Houston has outrebounded its opponents by 10-plus boards five times already, matching its total from the entire 2021-22 season.

The Rockets’ dominance on the glass is a group effort led by starting center Alperen Sengun, whose 9.7 average per game leads the team. After sitting out Friday due to a groin strain, the second-year player originally selected by the Thunder in the 2021 NBA draft made his presence felt. He had 21 points and a career-high 19 rebounds, along with 7 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks.

“I was playing bad in the last couple of games, but I focused more today,” Sengun told reporters.

When asked what he learned from being on the sideline, Sengun jokingly responded, “We won yesterday (Friday). I was thinking that I was coming back tomorrow, we have to win again.”

Houston heads to Denver to face the Nuggets on Monday and Wednesday. At 12-7, the Nuggets are second in the win column behind the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference.

It will be an opportunity for Sengun to face the player he models his game after, Nikola Jokic.

“It makes me happy when they compare me to him because he is my idol,” Sengun said of the matchup. “I am looking forward to playing against him this week. And I’m excited.”

[lawrence-related id=107504,107478]

[mm-video type=video id=01gjwgrhtd516gk5mn8m playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gjwgrhtd516gk5mn8m/01gjwgrhtd516gk5mn8m-0a461573aaf708d9e5f2cdf77aa9a9c2.jpg]

[listicle id=107465]

Rockets at Nuggets (Nov. 28): Prediction, point spread, odds, best bet

Jalen Green and the #Rockets are improving by the week, but they’re still clear underdogs (+11.5) in the first of two matchups against the West’s current No. 2 seed in Denver.

With 21 points, a career-high 19 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks, 20-year-old center Alperen Sengun was a beast for the Houston Rockets in Saturday’s big win over Oklahoma City. For the second-year prospect, those numbers reminded many of the early days in Denver for Nikola Jokic, now the NBA’s back-to-back MVP.

Starting Monday, the competition gets much steeper for Sengun, who will now face Jokic himself in back-to-back games.

If you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research for the first of two Rockets-Nuggets games, you’re in luck! We’ll give you the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet at BetMGM.

The game starts at 8:00 p.m. Central and can be seen via AT&T SportsNet Southwest (in Houston markets) or on NBA League Pass.

[betwidget_betmgm]

The lines, courtesy of BetMGM

  • Point spread: Nuggets -11.5
  • Money line: Nuggets -650 / Rockets +475
  • Over-under: 228.5

Click here to place your bets at BetMGM.

Rockets at Nuggets injury report:

  • Rockets: Jae’Sean Tate out (right ankle soreness)
  • Nuggets: Jeff Green out (right knee contusion), Collin Gillespie out (right lower leg fracture), Michael Porter Jr. doubtful (left heel contusion), Bones Hyland questionable (non-COVID illness)

Expected Lineups

Advice and prediction

Houston has won two straight games and three of its past five, and the two losses (each by single digits) featured a blown 20-point lead and historic shooting nights by Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. Asking the Rockets (5-14) to win in Denver might be too much, but they are playing better of late, so covering isn’t out of the question.

On the other side, while Denver (12-7) is the current No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, their average point differential per game is only +0.7. We’ll take the visitors to cover that large spread number.

Prediction: Nuggets 118, Rockets 109

Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.

[lawrence-related id=107478,107458]

[listicle id=107465]

Rockets at Nuggets: Monday’s lineups, injury reports, broadcast and stream info

Alperen Sengun was a beast (21 points, 19 rebounds) in Saturday’s #Rockets win, but the competition gets much steeper with two straight games versus Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets.

The young Houston Rockets finally have momentum after back-to-back home victories over the weekend versus Atlanta and Oklahoma City. But the challenge gets much greater in the coming days courtesy of a four-game road trip against Western Conference contenders, with stops in Denver (twice), Phoenix, and Golden State.

With 21 points, a career-high 19 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks, 20-year-old center Alperen Sengun was a beast in Saturday’s big win over the Thunder. For the second-year Rockets prospect, those numbers reminded many of the early days in Denver for Nikola Jokic, now the NBA’s back-to-back Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Starting Monday, Sengun gets two straight games to show how he holds up against the gold standard of physical playmakers among centers — and someone he considers an idol, as well.

“I have two idols in the NBA right now, one is (Joel) Embiid and one Jokic,” Sengun said after Jokic was named 2021-22 MVP in May. “I am so happy for him, and he deserved it.”

Highlights: In Turkey-Serbia matchup, Alperen Sengun shines vs. Nikola Jokic

Led by back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, Serbia held off Turkey on Sunday. But Rockets big man Alperen Sengun (17 points, 13 rebounds) made quite an impression.

Led by a strong outing from back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, Serbia held off Turkey, 79-72 (box score), in Sunday’s European qualifier for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 tournament.

But while the perennial All-Star center of the Denver Nuggets was the headliner, Turkey rallied from an early deficit and made the game very competitive thanks to a similarly elite performance by young center Alperen Sengun of the Houston Rockets.

Sengun tallied 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots in 34 minutes, and he made 8-of-9 shots (88.9%) from the free-throw line. Turkey was +3 as a team in the 34-plus minutes that the 20-year-old played, and -10 in the nearly six minutes that he sat out.

Sengun’s big game still wasn’t enough to win, however, thanks to another brilliant game from Jokic. The massive Serbian big man scored 25 points in 25 minutes on 10-of-16 shooting (62.5%), and he also grabbed 10 rebounds in leading his team to victory.

Scroll on for a look at highlights and key takeaways.

[lawrence-related id=101508,100396]

Former Rockets center DeMarcus Cousins helps extend Houston’s losing streak to 12 games

With MVP Nikola Jokic unavailable due to illness, former Rockets center DeMarcus Cousins stepped in for Denver and had a monster game to extend Houston’s long losing streak.

Houston’s losing streak is now at 12 games after Friday’s 116-101 loss (box score) at Denver. With the loss and wins by Orlando and Detroit, the young Rockets have taken possession of the league’s worst record, which currently gives them the pole position for the 2022 NBA draft lottery.

Though reigning MVP Nikola Jokic was sidelined by a non-COVID illness, it didn’t seem to matter much for the Nuggets, since veteran center DeMarcus Cousins — who played with the Rockets last season — stepped in and had 31 points (71.4% FG) and 9 rebounds in only 24 minutes.

Christian Wood led Houston with 22 points (58.3% FG), 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, but his defensive deficiencies were often problematic versus Cousins. Rookie guard Jalen Green was efficient again with 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting (50.0% FG), along with 7 assists and 5 rebounds.

Rookie big man Alperen Sengun added 11 points (50.0% FG) and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes off the Houston bench, while veteran guard Eric Gordon scored 11 points and hit 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60.0%).

Scroll on for highlights and postgame reaction.

Rockets at Nuggets: Prediction, point spread, odds, over/under, betting picks (March 4)

Houston is understandably a big underdog (+13.5) on Friday at Denver, but surging rookie Jalen Green gives the rebuilding Rockets at least some hope after a great game versus Utah.

After finishing a three-game homestand, the Houston Rockets hit the road for one game when they visit Denver on Friday. If you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We have the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number, as well as all the information you need to make the best bets at Tipico Sportsbook.

The Rockets-Nuggets game tips at 8 p.m. CST and can be viewed or streamed via AT&T SportsNet Southwest and NBA League Pass.

On paper, it initially looks like a mismatch — since the Nuggets are at home and 10 games over .500, while the Rockets are 32 games below with the worst record in the Western Conference. But a closer examination does offer at least some hope of a competitive game.

The Nuggets lost convincingly (119-107) at home on Wednesday versus Oklahoma City, another young team that is on a similar rebuilding trajectory to the Rockets. Meanwhile, Houston had its most encouraging performance in some time in an overtime loss to Utah, with rookie guard Jalen Green and veteran big man Christian Wood the clear standouts.

Green, who was drafted No. 2 overall in the 2021 first round, has now scored 20 or more points in four of Houston’s last five games.

Rockets at Nuggets: Friday’s lineups, injury reports, broadcast and stream info

Can Jalen Green and Christian Wood continue their momentum after a strong game versus Utah? Houston’s next opportunity is Friday in Denver versus reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.

After finishing a three-game homestand, the Houston Rockets hit the road for one game when they visit Denver on Friday. If you’re wondering how you can watch all the action live, you’ve come to the right place.

On paper, it initially looks like a mismatch — since the Nuggets are at home and 10 games over .500, while the Rockets are 32 games below with the worst record in the Western Conference. But a closer examination does offer at least some hope of a competitive game.

The Nuggets lost convincingly (119-107) at home on Wednesday versus Oklahoma City, another young team that is on a similar rebuilding trajectory to the Rockets. Meanwhile, Houston had its most encouraging performance in some time in an overtime loss to Utah, with rookie guard Jalen Green and veteran big man Christian Wood the clear standouts.

That said, the Nuggets will present a different type of challenge to the Rockets, since reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic is significantly better on offense than Jazz big man Rudy Gobert. On paper, he’s a less desirable matchup for a slender and athletic center like Wood.

Seven-game skid: Jalen Green scores 29, but Denver blasts Rockets’ defense

In a tumultuous night at Toyota Center, rookie Jalen Green scored the second-most points (29) of his NBA career in only 28 minutes, but it wasn’t nearly enough for the Houston Rockets in a 124-111 home loss ( box score) to Denver. Green hit 5-of-8 …

In a tumultuous night at Toyota Center, rookie Jalen Green scored the second-most points (29) of his NBA career in only 28 minutes, but it wasn’t nearly enough for the Houston Rockets in a 124-111 home loss (box score) to Denver. Green hit 5-of-8 from 3-point range (62.5%) and made 12 of a career-high 14 attempts (85.7%) from the free-throw line.

The Nuggets (18-16) were led by 24 points (66.7% FG) and 11 rebounds from reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, who only needed to play 25 minutes. The Rockets (10-27), who gave up 77 points in the first half and 47 in the second quarter alone, lost their seventh straight game and 11th of their last 13 in yet another dismal defensive effort.

Big man Christian Wood came off the bench for the first time in his Houston career and did not play at all after halftime, with head coach Stephen Silas citing a violation of team rules as the reason. Starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. “lost his temper during a heated halftime discussion and didn’t return to the court, leaving Toyota Center during the second half,” according to an ESPN report.

In postgame comments, Silas cited a “spirited debate” at halftime. The Rockets initially said Porter was questionable to play in the second half due to a left thigh injury, which has already cost him 15 games this season, but it remains to be seen how much was the injury and how much was due to the apparent extracurricular activity at halftime.

The Rockets have a day off Sunday before resuming play on Monday in Philadelphia, with tipoff set for 6:00 p.m. CST. Until then, scroll on for highlights and more postgame reaction from Saturday.

[lawrence-related id=59980,59967]

Nuggets at Rockets: Prediction, point spread, odds, over/under, betting picks

Denver is coming off a postponement, but the short-handed Nuggets are still favored over the host Rockets due largely to MVP Nikola Jokic.

The Houston Rockets will finish a three-game homestand with Saturday’s New Year’s Day visit from Denver, and if you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We’ve got the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number, as well as all the information you’ll need to make the smartest bets at Tipico Sportsbook.

The Rockets-Nuggets game tips at 7 p.m. CST and can be viewed or streamed via AT&T SportsNet Southwest and NBA League Pass.

For the Rockets, they will begin 2022 in a similar manner to how they ended 2021: Welcoming a health-ravaged opponent to Toyota Center.

This time, it’s Denver, which is coming off a postponement due to a lack of enough available players. Fortunately, barring a late increase in positive COVID-19 test results, the Nuggets have made enough temporary hardship additions that Saturday’s game should go forward.

Even though the Rockets have superior depth, given current health and injury lists, Denver (17-16) is the favored team for one very big reason: Reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic is healthy. By contrast, Houston (10-26) enters with six straight losses after Friday’s setback versus Miami.

It also remains to be seen how head coach Stephen Silas will navigate back-to-back considerations, since the Rockets also played on Friday’s New Year’s Eve. Earlier in the week, Houston rested guards Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green on half of a back-to-back, since each is coming off a leg injury that recently sidelined them for multiple weeks.

Then again, perhaps this back-to-back is different, since both games are in Houston (meaning no in-between travel) and both young guards have improved their conditioning since making their initial returns. Silas indicated Friday that he was hopeful of having Green and Porter available for both ends of this back-to-back, but that a final determination would not be made until evaluating them on Saturday.