The Houston Rockets continued their winning streak with a hard-fought 107-104 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night, marking their sixth consecutive win. Coach Ime Udoka was fully aware of the daunting challenge posed by strategizing against the standout talent of the Nuggets, particularly Nikola Jokić. Udoka emphasized the strategic complexity, acknowledging the necessity of a “pick your poison” mindset when facing such an exceptional player.
In a bold and calculated move, the Rockets opted to allow Jokić a significant impact offensively in order to maintain control of other aspects of the game. This tactical decision led to the Rockets securing their sixth straight win, despite Jokić’s phenomenal performance of 36 points, 21 rebounds, and 11 assists.
The game unfolded with Jokić setting the tone early, showcasing his dominance by scoring 16 points in the opening quarter, providing the Nuggets with a 30-23 lead entering the second quarter. However, during Jokić’s brief absence from the court, the Rockets capitalized, igniting an 8-0 run at the start of the second quarter and seizing a 31-30 lead upon his return.
Despite Jokić’s consistent display of prowess, the Rockets steadily chipped away at the lead, winning the third quarter by a close margin of 28-26. The game remained fiercely contested, with the Rockets entering the fourth quarter trailing 76-74.
The pivotal moments came in the final quarter, with Fred VanVleet’s exceptional performance, scoring six consecutive points at the start and ultimately accumulating 26 points in the game. The Rockets surged ahead, establishing an 89-82 lead with 6:26 remaining. Although the Nuggets made a late-game push, cutting the Rockets’ lead to just one point at 103-102 following a crucial three-pointer by Jokić, VanVleet’s clutch free throws extended the Rockets’ lead to 105-102 with 19 seconds left.
The game was sealed by a decisive steal from Jae’Sean Tate on Michael Porter Jr., solidifying the Rockets’ 107-104 victory. Alongside VanVleet’s standout performance, Alperen Sengun contributed significantly with 23 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
This win not only secured the Rockets’ sixth consecutive victory but also concluded their seven-game homestand with an impressive 6-1 record. Their only loss during this stretch occurred on October 29 against the Golden State Warriors.
Looking ahead, the Rockets now prepare for a challenging three-game road trip. Their upcoming fixtures include matchups against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, followed by facing off against the Lakers on Sunday and concluding the trip against the Golden State Warriors on Monday. The Rockets’ clash with the Clippers is set for 9:30 p.m. CDT at the Crypto.com Arena.