Porzingis-led Knicks defeat the Rockets 107-102

Posted: November 21, 2015 -- 11:15 pm.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets faced rookie Kristaps Porzingis for the first time Saturday night; and, Rook was very impressive and helped the Knicks defeat the Rockets 107-102.

Porzingis scored 24 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and blocked 7 shots (including 2 shots by James Harden in the fourth quarter) to out shine Harden's heroics of 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists.

"I’m just being aggressive, man. Just trying to get my teammates involved," Harden said referring to his 10 assists.

The Rockets (5-9) lost the battle of the boards 45-42 overall to the Knicks. The Knicks beat the Rockets 19-16 on the offensive boards.

Rockets' interim-head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said, "It’s hard to overcome 19 offensive rebounds."

Bickerstaff told the media after the game he wants the Rockets to be more physical.

"But throughout the thing as we talked with our group, defensively things that we talked about that we wanted to do, we wanted to be more physical," said Bickerstaff. "We want to be more aggressive. It’s not just on rebounds. They made a bunch of cuts to the basket, where we just weren’t physical enough."

The Rockets led 26-24 after the first quarter; however, the Rockets turned the ball over five times in the second quarter which negated their 50 percent field goal shooting (8 for 16) in the quarter and helped the Knicks make 12 of the 24 field goals in the second period. The Rockets were outscored 34-27 in the second quarter and trailed the Knicks 58-53 at halftime.

Four three-point baskets in the third quarter helped the Rockets outscore the Knicks 24-21 in the third. Houston trailed the Knicks 79-77 after 36 minutes.

The fourth quarter was nip-and-tuck; and, after Corey Brewer made two foul shots, the Rockets led 99-98 with 1:40 remaining in the game. Porzingis rebounded a missed shot by teammate Carmelo Anthony and was fouled by Harden. Porzingis made both free throws for a 100-99 Knicks' lead.

Harden missed a 25-foot, three-point shot attempt which led to a lay-up by Carmelo Anthony with 39 seconds remaining. After the Rockets called a 20-second timeout, Trevor Ariza missed a three-point shot attempt; and, Anthony grabbed the defensive rebound.

Anthony split the 2 free throws for a Rockets 103-99 deficit.

After a 20-second time, the Rockets, trailing by 4 points, failed to get a shot and James Harden was whistled for an offensive foul when he bowled over Jose Calderon.

With 11 seconds remaining, Ariza fouled Carmelo Anthony to extend the ball game. Anthony made both free throws.

Terrence Jones made a three-point basket to slice the Rockets' deficit to 105-102 with 7 seconds remaining. Knicks' forward Lance Thomas capped the scoring in the game by knocking down both free throws.

"We didn’t get enough stops, especially there in the 4th quarter. Second and fourth quarters, were their (Knicks) biggest scoring quarters and we didn’t get stops," Harden acknowledged. "There was 4 or 5 possessions in a row where we would come down and score or get to the foul line and then they would come back and they would do the same thing. We’ve got to get stops."

CLICK HERE for The HRR's Rockets' write-ups.