Houston did not need James Harden to roll past the Phoenix Suns: There were plenty of contributions from just about everyone else to make it a 112-95 Rockets romp on Friday night.
Chris Paul scored 25 points to lead six Houston players in double figures as the Rockets improved to 4-2 since losing Harden with a hamstring injury.
“We are just holding it down, holding it down until we get the whole crew back,” Paul said. “Ain’t nobody going to feel sorry for ourselves and we ain’t going to feel sorry for ourselves. We are just going to go out there and keep competing.”
Photo: AP
Houston led by 18 in the second quarter, 22 at the end of the third and 27 in the fourth in their sixth consecutive victory over Phoenix.
Clint Capela scored 17 points and grabbed 16 rebounds for the Rockets, who dominated the boards 53-38. Ryan Anderson and Trevor Ariza added 18 points apiece, while Eric Gordon scored 14.
Devin Booker scored 27 and T.J. Warren 21 for the Suns, who were coming off a home win over Oklahoma City four days earlier. Booker, playing more these days at point guard, had nine assists, but nine of his team’s 19 turnovers.
Houston had a 14-4 advantage on the offensive boards.
“I think we’re No. 1 in the league in getting an offensive rebound and kicking it out for a three, so that’s great,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “And obviously Chris had some mismatches and he started doing some short 15-foot game. He’s awesome. Everybody contributed here and there.”
Phoenix got off to a fast start, scoring 10 straight points, capped by a Dragan Bender three-pointer, to lead 21-10.
Then things turned sour for the home team.
The Rockets outscored the Suns 37-8 over the final 5 minutes, 5 seconds of the first quarter and first 6 minutes, 47 seconds of the second, when Anderson’s two free throws put Houston on top 47-29 with 5 minutes, 13 seconds left in the first half.
The Rockets led 57-44 at the break, despite Booker’s 18 points.
Houston scored the first four points of the second half and Phoenix never got closer than 15 after that.
The Rockets went with a small lineup and spaced the floor, leading to open shots.
“Well, they space everybody out,” Phoenix interim coach Jay Triano said.
“They’re going to shoot a lot and that makes it tough when you’re out there on the three-point line and you try to challenge shots and turning around to go chase rebounds. That can be difficult. I thought they were probably a little quicker to the ball,” he added.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and