http://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-keep-rolling-with-blowout-of-Spurs-12435300.php
Rockets keep rolling with blowout of Spurs
Updated 11:52 pm, Friday, December 15, 2017
Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul (3) puts up three 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 three 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 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
... moreAs a statement, the Rockets could not say as much in whipping the Spurs as they had in their march to get there. There are too many tests to come against them, to say nothing of recent history, for that.
The idea that the Rockets' start-to-finish 124-109 blowout of the Spurs was an answer for the loss when they last met on the Toyota Center court was as far-fetched as calling their first regular-season meeting Game 7.
This was more of a demonstration of what the Rockets had become in the month of games since Chris Paul returned, of how he and James Harden can be too much to handle and how a diminished opponent had little chance as the Rockets pushed their winning streak to 12 games, and their record with Paul to 13-0 this season.
With Paul dominating and Harden coming on late, both finished with 28 points, matching the Rockets lead, with boredom in the second half the Rockets' greatest opponent.
By then, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had long since begun clearing his bench with Kawhi Leonard, in his second game of the season, limited to 17 first-half minutes and Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker held to five second-half minutes between them.
The Spurs spent the fourth quarter with their bench providing the energy the Rockets had little need to match, briefly cutting the lead to 14. But Harden put in a jumper with 5 ½ minutes left, giving him at least 20 points in all 27 games this season, and then added a 3-pointer to push the game back to a blowout.
While Harden and Paul led the Rockets, every starter plus sixth man Eric Gordon scored in double figures, with Clint Capela scoring 18 points on 9 of 11 shooting with 10 rebounds, giving him as many double-doubles this season (15) as he had all of last season. Ryan Anderson joined him, adding 12 points with 10 rebounds.
LaMarcus Aldridge led the Spurs with 16 points, but with just four in the third quarter before he and the other Spurs starters were through for the night.
The Rockets seemed headed for a certain blowout most of the night, leading by 28 midway through the second quarter. They have held double digit leads in 21 of 27 games, leading the league in scoring differential (11.1 per game prior to Friday) to go with their league-best record.
The Rockets spent the first half pretty much as they had the previous 11 games, forcing missed shots and getting into the open court to pour in 3-pointers.
Paul especially had his way with the Spurs as the Rockets outscored the Spurs by 19 in his 14 ½ minutes on the floor, as he repeatedly burned switches by hitting jumpers over San Antonio big men and triggered the Rockets' fast break with four steals. When he fed Trevor Ariza on a break, the Rockets led by 28 midway through the second quarter.
With Ariza and Gordon both hitting a pair of 3s and Paul knocking down three 3-pointers, the Rockets had made 10 3s before the Spurs put in their first.
Late in the half, however, when the Spurs began scoring more reliably, the Rockets' offense bogged down on the other end. The Spurs went from missing their first 10 3-pointers to making 4 of 6 in the final four minutes of the half. That trimmed the 28-point lead to 17, but the Rockets had taken control of the game without demonstrating their best.
By halftime, Harden had made just 2 of 10 shots. Capela had taken just two shots. None of that mattered. The Rockets spent the month since Paul returned with so much firepower, there had been plenty to spare for the occasional off nights of a shooter or two.
If that did not prove anything the Rockets already had not, the latest blowout offered a good example of how far they had come since they and the Spurs last shared the floor, which was about all they could want of a mid-December reunion.
