Rockets "got it done" versus the Kings and win 10th-straight game

Posted: February 14, 2018 -- 11:04 pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Rockets did just enough on offense and on defense to defeat the Sacramento Kings 100-91 Wednesday night. Houston has won 10 straight ball games.

“It makes everything a little better because guys are on vacation or whatever,” Chris Paul acknowledged. “James (Harden) going to the (All-Star) Game, everything is better when you’re winning. So we just want to keep that going when we come (back) after break.”

Houston (44-13) won despite being outshot 43.7 to 39.8%.  The Rockets are 2-3 when shooting below 40.0% this season, with both wins coming against the Kings.  Houston has held the opposition below 45.0% shooting in seven of the past 12 games after doing so once the 19 games prior.  The Rockets are 19-1 when holding opponents below 45.0% shooting this season.

“Scrappy team we played against, (they) played really hard; but, we got stops when we needed to and that was it,” James Harden said after the game. “We told ourselves before the game we can’t focus on All-Star break, we have one more game before the break, so we did a good job of that.”

“Not (a) whole lot to say other than workmanship, got it done, move on,” said Rockets Head Coach Mike D'Antoni during his post-game press conference.

The Rockets trailed the Kings 25-20 after the first quarter. The 20 points is the fewest points the Rockets have scored in the first quarter this season. Ironically, the Rockets are 20-4 when scoring less than 30 points in the opening quarter.

Houston shot 36.4% (8 for 22) in the opening 12 minutes; however, Chris Paul got hot in the second quarter.

Paul scored 17 points in the quarter on perfect shooting. Paul made all 5 of his field goal attempts -- including 3 for 3 three-point shots; and, Paul was 4 for 4 from the free throw line.

James Harden scored 11 points in the second quarter on 2 for 3 three-point shooting and 5 for 6 free throw shooting.

Paul and Harden combined for 28 of the Rockets' 35 points in the second quarter.

The Rockets shot 50% (10 for 20) overall in the quarter and led the Kings 55-45 at halftime.

Houston's lead grew to 17 points with 3:13 remaining in the third quarter; however, the Rockets missed their last three field goals while the Kings made 4 of their final 7 shots to end the quarter with an 11-3 run and trim Houston's lead to 72-63 after three quarters.

Prior to the 4 for 7 shooting, the Kings made 3 of 16 field goal attempts in the third quarter.

After Sacramento's Garrett Temple made a lay-up to begin the fourth quarter, Chris Paul dished to the newly-signed Joe Johnson and Johnson swished a three-point shot from the corner. Johnson's bucket boosted the Rockets' lead to 75-65; and, the basket was Johnson's first made shot as a Rocket after missing his first six attempts.

“It’s been a long couple days. Initially, I wasn’t supposed to play (tonight),” Johnson said after the game. “But, it was fun. I was glad to be out there with the guys, you know to get my feet wet before the break. Just to get out there and hoop, so it was fun for me.”

Houston's lead grew to 78-67; but, the Kings scored four straight. The Rockets kept the Kings at arms' length the rest of the fourth quarter. Houston's lead never got smaller than five points nor larger than 10 points during the final 8:33 of the game.

All five starters scored in double-figures for the Rockets.  That is the 10th time that has occurred this season (14 times in 2016-17).

James Harden had game-highs of 28 points and 9 assists while also grabbing 9 rebounds.  Over the past four games, he is averaging 29.3 points per game, 9.5 assists per game and 7.0 rebounds per game.  Harden has scored at least 27 points in each of the past six games.  It is the third time he has recorded 27+ points in six straight games this season after only having one streak that long prior in his career (7 games from 2/6-2/27/16).

Clint Capela had 13 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for his ninth double-double over the past 12 games and his 30th overall this season (25 prior in his career).  He also had 2 blocks tonight and is averaging 2.78 blocks per game over the past nine games.

P.J. Tucker had 10 points and hit two 3-pointers.  He has scored 10+ points in consecutive games for the second time this season (11/9-11/11).  Houston is 8-1 when he scores in double-figures and 17-1 when he has 2+ 3 field goals made.

Luc Mbah a Moute had 11 points tonight.  The Rockets improve to 13-1 when he starts and 12-1 when he scores in double-figures.  Mbah a Moute had a plus/minus rating of +14 tonight and is +119 over the past 11 games.

The Rockets next game is Friday, February 23, versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tip is set for 7 p.m.

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