http://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/3-pointers-Takeaways-from-the-Rockets-124-109-12435753.php
3-pointers: Takeaways from the Rockets' 124-109 win against the San Antonio Spurs
Published 10:52 am, Saturday, December 16, 2017
Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) drives to the basket in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. Rockets won the game 124-109. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) drives to the basket in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. Rockets won the game 124-109. ( Elizabeth
... moreHouston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta and guard James Harden (13) joke around after an award presentation before the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs game at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta and guard James Harden (13) joke around after an award presentation before the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs game at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in
... moreHouston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta presents guard James Harden (13) an award before the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs game at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta presents guard James Harden (13) an award before the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs game at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth
... moreSan Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) puts up a shot against the Houston Rockets ain the first quarter at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) puts up a shot against the Houston Rockets ain the first quarter at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) guards San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) as he drives the the basket in the first quarter at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) guards San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) as he drives the the basket in the first quarter at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. (
... moreHouston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after hitting the ground and getting fouled in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. Rockets won the game 124-109. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after hitting the ground and getting fouled in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. Rockets won
... moreHouston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after hitting the ground and getting fouled in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. Rockets won the game 124-109. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after hitting the ground and getting fouled in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. Rockets won
... moreHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) drives the ball against San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray (5) in the second half of game action at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. Rockets won the game 124-109. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) drives the ball against San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray (5) in the second half of game action at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. Rockets won
... moreHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) drives to the basket in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. Rockets won the game 124-109. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) drives to the basket in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. Rockets won the game 124-109. ( Elizabeth
... moreHouston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after stealing the ball in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. Rockets won the game 124-109. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after stealing the ball in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. Rockets won the game 124-109. (
... moreHouston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after being fouled in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. Rockets won the game 124-109. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after being fouled in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. Rockets won the game 124-109. (
... moreHouston Rockets forward Zhou Qi (9) grabs a rebound against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets forward Zhou Qi (9) grabs a rebound against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) puts up two of his 28 points against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) puts up two of his 28 points against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) puts up two of his 11 points against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) puts up two of his 11 points against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) cuts between and San Antonio Spurs center Joffrey Lauvergne (77) guard Dejounte Murray (5) at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) cuts between and San Antonio Spurs center Joffrey Lauvergne (77) guard Dejounte Murray (5) at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley
... moreHouston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) loses his balance in the paint against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) loses his balance in the paint against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) puts up two of his 28 points against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) puts up two of his 28 points against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) puts up two of his 28 points against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) puts up two of his 28 points against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets center Nene Hilario (42) reacts as he loses the ball against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets center Nene Hilario (42) reacts as he loses the ball against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) scores two of his 28 points against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) scores two of his 28 points against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) scores two of his 11 points against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. Rockets won 124-109. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) scores two of his 11 points against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. Rockets won 124-109. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston
... moreHouston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) dunks the ball for two of his 18 points against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) dunks the ball for two of his 18 points against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) dunks the ball for two of his 18 points against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) dunks the ball for two of his 18 points against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) tries to stop San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during a break away to the basket in the second quater at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) tries to stop San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during a break away to the basket in the second quater at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in
... moreFormer Rocket Hakeem Olajuwon leaves the game during half time at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Former Rocket Hakeem Olajuwon leaves the game during half time at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) leaves the game in the second quater against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) leaves the game in the second quater against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) talks with James Harden (13) as they make their way back to a bench during a time out against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) talks with James Harden (13) as they make their way back to a bench during a time out against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in
... moreHouston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (33) hits the floor after a mid-air collision with San Antonio Spurs guard Bryn Forbes (11) in the first quater at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (33) hits the floor after a mid-air collision with San Antonio Spurs guard Bryn Forbes (11) in the first quater at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. (
... moreSan Antonio Spurs guard Bryn Forbes (11) collides with Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (33) in the first quater at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
lessSan Antonio Spurs guard Bryn Forbes (11) collides with Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (33) in the first quater at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston
... moreHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) holds up his finger after scoring a three-point shot in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) holds up his finger after scoring a three-point shot in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. (
... moreHouston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) takes down an offensive rebound in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) takes down an offensive rebound in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley /
... moreHouston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shakes hands with his teammates before they take on the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shakes hands with his teammates before they take on the San Antonio Spurs at the Toyota Center on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston
... moreThe Spurs were clearly diminished with a lineup working its way back from injuries. But that lineup had the third-best defense in the NBA this season. With pace under control, they had allowed the fewest points per game. They clearly were not all they could be when at full strength, but they had their strengths, too.
The Rockets tore through that, scoring more points than they had in four quarters against the Spurs since 1986. They were not at their best with some players hot and some off. But the Rockets still hit 18 3-pointers, giving them 18 games with at least 15 3-pointers, already the fourth-most for a season in league history. They have won all 18.
At 23-4, the Rockets matched their best record through 27 games in franchise history. The 12-game winning streak is the fifth-longest in franchise history. The blowout of the Spurs was just another example of how they had done it.
1. The Rockets would not make too much of the win. It was not a statement about how they stack up against the Spurs. One regular season game cannot be all that, especially with the Spurs clearly diminished with Kawhi Leonard playing just 17 first-half minutes and Tony Parker still working his way back, playing just five minutes in the second half. But there was little doubt that this season’s Rockets are not last season’s Rockets. That might have been clear in the 11 games they had won since Chris Paul’s return, but the Rockets won 10 straight last December, when they also had a pretty strong team, eventually taking the third-best record in the NBA and blowing out the Spurs in the first game of their playoff series. The Rockets this season, however, are just a better team. James Harden can be all he was last season, but he does not have to be every night to win. The Rockets can be as explosive offensively, maybe with even more 3-point shooting, but they are far better, more committed defensively. The win against the Spurs did not prove all that. That was probably not possible with one game, or even necessary. Instead, it demonstrated how the Rockets had rolled to the NBA’s best record. In that way, the Rockets left no doubts.
Express-News Spurs reporter Jabari Young and Jeff McDonald recap the Spurs’ 124-109 loss to the Houston Rockets.
Media: Jabari Young2. Twenty years after the Rockets brought in Charles Barkley and considered him their Tonic for the Sonics, the Rockets traded for Chris Paul. He was not necessarily their Solution for the Spurs. The Warriors loom as the team to beat no matter how last season ended or this season began. But Paul was very much what the Rockets needed as that series went wrong for them, from the off-the-charts competitiveness and tough-love leadership to the mid-range game and second playmaker passing. Against the Spurs on Friday, he was more simply just a second star, able to take over when James Harden was off. Harden made 3 of his first 14 shots through three quarters, but it did not matter. Paul dominated on his way to 28 points with eight assists and a season-high seven steals. The Rockets led by as much as 28 early in the second quarter, when he was on the floor without Harden. In many ways, that was the Rockets’ plan with Barkley and Hakeem Olajuwon. The Rockets wanted Barkley’s help on the boards for Olajuwon. Olajuwon wanted some possessions when he could tell Barkley to get in the post for him. The Rockets sought to prop up Olajuwon’s window a bit longer and it might have worked. The Rockets reached the Western Conference Finals, but fell short and were never the same. This team has more players in their prime, but a long way to go before they get to those tests. For now, the mix has worked even better than that combination, with the Rockets going 13-0 with Chris Paul in uniform. That matches the best unbeaten run for a starter with a new team with Dennis Rodman’s 13-0 record in 1995-96 with the Bulls. Paul immediately cited how that season ended, pointing to the plan the Rockets had 20 years ago and still do.
PERFECT FIT: To Hakeem Olajuwon, these Rockets look familiar
3. Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni planned to spread Luc Mbah a Moute’s minutes around to a variety of players, but as usual, that began with Trevor Ariza. D’Antoni will in these circumstances watch how a player responds on the floor and react to what he sees. Ariza can look the same playing 42 minutes as he does when playing 22. He can take on the toughest defensive assignment, rush into passing lanes and still be the first one down the floor on the other end in the sprints to the corners that helps make the Rockets’ up-tempo game work. The Rockets likely will not want him to average 42 minutes in the two to three weeks Mbah a Moute misses, but even with an eight-man rotation (and maybe just seven tonight with Nene to sit out the second half of a back-to-back) the Rockets might be able to keep their regulars’ minutes from getting out of hand. James Harden played just 33 minutes on Friday, his third-consecutive game playing fewer than 35 minutes (something he had not done since the 2015-16 season.) Harden is averaging 35.6 minutes per game, 13th in the NBA and his fewest since the trade to the Rockets made him a starter in 2012. He is the only Rockets player in the top 20 in minutes played. Chris Play’s 30.8 minutes, though limited by the minutes restriction of his first few games back, is the fewest of his 13-year career. With Mbah a Moute out, the Rockets can bump up the playing time for Ariza, Eric Gordon and P.J. Tucker and still keep the minutes for their stars swelling to too many in most games. If nothing else shows that the question is not how many players play but how many minutes, that should do it, as it has so far.
