Rockets don't overcome shooting woes in loss to Spurs

Posted: November 12, 2016 -- 11:39 pm CDT.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets made a valiant comeback Saturday night; but, the effort fell short in a 106-100 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Eric Gordon led the Rockets with 27 points and James Harden posted his second straight triple-double (both against the Spurs) with 25 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds. However, the Rockets poor shooting in the first half (31.2%) dug a hole too large for them to overcome.

"We just can’t have a first half that’s not very good," said Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni. "We almost got out of it, fumbled all the way to the end, defensively."

The Rockets shot 7 for 22 from the floor in the first and second quarters; and, the Spurs used an 8-0 run to finish the first half to lead 49-40 at halftime.

The Rockets (5-4) shot an icy 25.0% (4 for 20) from the three-point line in the opening half.

The Spurs (7-3) increased the lead to 65-50 midway in the third quarter before Eric Gordon caught fire. Gordon connected on 4 of 5 from three-point range and, overall, the Rockets made 6 threes in the third period. Despite the hot shooting, the Rockets trailed the Spurs 82-70 at the end of the third quarter.

"What they (Spurs) were doing they were loading up on James in the paint, and all you have to do is kick out for open shots," said Eric Gordon. "I told him to look for me, we just have to find a way to get rolling and I got going in that 3rd quarter. I was ready to knock down shots."

The Rockets trailed the Spurs 90-74 with 8:55 remaining in the game when Gordon heated up once again.

Harden began a 22-10 run with a three-point play. Then, Gordon drained a step back jump shot and followed up with a driving slam dunk. Next, Gordon nailed back-to-back three-point shots to pull the Rockets within 94-87 with 4:43 on the game clock.

Spurs' forward Kawhi Leonard scored 4 straight points before Ariza, Harden, and Gordon each nailed a three-point shot to trim the Rockets' deficit to only four points (100-96) with 2:22 remaining.

LaMarcus Aldridge sank a 7-foot turnaround shot; and, Harden answered with an 8-foot runner in the paint.

After Aldridge missed a long-jump shot, the Rockets had three shots to pull closer; but, each shot missed. However, on the Spurs' next possession, Aldridge turned over the ball; but, Harden missed a three-point shot with 20.7 seconds remaining. The Spurs grabbed the rebound which forced the Rockets to foul.

"We’re a different team. We don’t give up, no matter how bad things look we just continue to fight," Harden said after the game. "We had an opportunity with a little bit over a minute to go from a 16 point deficit to a four point deficit. We just didn’t make enough shots, but as a team I think we did a really good job of just continuing to compete and giving ourselves a chance to win."

Tony Parker and Aldridge made free throws to close out the Rockets.

Harden shot 7 for 18 from the floor. He also had 7 turnovers.

Ryan Anderson struggled shooting the entire game. Anderson got good looks; but, he made only 1 of his 13 shot attempts.

"Yeah, I missed them. I just missed them," Anderson acknowledged. "Those are shots that I shoot all the time and I just missed them. Sometimes you miss them. It’s frustrating obviously, but you’ve got to move on to the next game."

The Rockets host the Philadelphia 76ers Monday, November 14, at 7 p.m.

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