Houston (USA), .- The star escort James Harden with a double-double of 28 points and 10 assists returned to be the leader of the attack of the Rockets of Houston that prevailed by 118-106 to the Hornets of Charlotte and they got the ninth consecutive victory.
Another guard, Eric Gordon, supported him by getting 22 points, including five triples of 12 attempts, while the Swiss center Chris Capela returned to be the dominant player in the painting at the end of the game with a double-double of 19 points, 15 rebounds -11 defensive-, and two assists.
Gordon managed for the third consecutive game five triples and the fourth in the last five played by the Rockets.
Power forward Kenneth Faried, who came off reserve, contributed 16 points, nine rebounds – seven defensive – recovered a ball and put a stopper.
Faried played his first game after missing five because of a hip injury.
The Rockets, who came to have a 29-point lead in the third period of the game, managed to triumph despite the fact that baseman Kemba Walker scored 40 points.
Walker also finished with a double-double by capturing 10 rebounds and distributing seven assists, with four turnovers.
Power forward Frank Kaminsky, who came off reserve, emerged as the Hornets’ second highest scorer with 15 points, including two triples.
While guard Dwayne Bacon reached 13 and rookie forward Miles Bridges scored another 12 as the fourth highest scorer of the Hornets, who in the fourth period reduced the disadvantage of 29 points to 13, without the end could complete the comeback.
Walker with a triple with three and a half minutes of regulation time reduced the disadvantage to just 10 points, but the Rockets reacted with a 7-2 run, including a Matter by Faried, and the Houston team secured the victory.
The Spanish pivot Willy Hernangómez, who before the loss of Cody Zeller, sick and with discomfort in the left knee, left the starter, contributed two points and six defensive rebounds in the 25 minutes he played.
The former Real Madrid player scored 1 of 3 field goals, in addition to giving four assists, recovered a ball, lost two more and committed three personal fouls.
“We have not won, but the team has seen better and in the end we had the opportunity to get into the game,” Hernangómez told EFE. “Whenever you have minutes it’s good and I’m ready to take advantage of them and help the team.”
The Rockets won by the eleventh game to finish the first part with at least 70 points so far this season.
The Houston team with a score of 42-25 is consolidated as leader of the Southwest Division and third in the Western Conference, waiting for the duel that on Wednesday the Golden State Warriors will star in the Toyota Center, which have the best brand (45-21).
While the Hornets travel to Washington to face the Wizards, in another game that will be decisive in order to stay in the fight to reach the playoffs. (EFE)
