Rockets Dynamic Duo Sprints Past Thunder in Chris Paul's Return

The Rockets limped to a 10-point halftime deficit in Chris Paul's return to the Toyota Center on Monday, but a strong effort from Houston's dynamic duo down the stretch allowed the Rockets to climb over .500 for the first time in 2019-20. James Harden crossed the 40-point threshold for the first time this year, and Russell Westbrook was electric in the fourth quarter of Houston's 116-112 victory. The Rockets are right on track as they enter their first road trip of the year. 

Here are three takeaways from Monday's win.

Harden Slowly Returning to Form

Perhaps the second half of Monday's victory will get Harden back on track for the rest of 2019-20. The former MVP was downright abysmal in his first 10 quarters of the season, making just 14 of 53 shots including a 5-35 mark from three. Step-back threes clanged off the side of the rim. Drives into the paint ended with flailed arms and turnovers. The back-to-back scoring champion looked nothing like a perennial MVP contender before Monday's second half.

Harden's last two quarters were encouraging. He scored 25 points in the second half, bullying his way to 16 free throws in the final 24 minutes. Harden's shot profile through three games is encouraging despite the slow shooting start. He appears strong and spry bowling toward the tin, and he's is creating plenty of separation. Harden remains a favorite for the scoring title despite a subpar start from the field. Head coach Mike D'Antoni expects Harden's numbers from beyond the arc to rise in the coming games. 

"[Harden] is trying to get his legs probably. I'm sure a lot of it is he's just not there yet," D'Antoni said after Monday's win. "You'd have to ask him if he's pressing, I doubt it. Why would he press? He's the best offensive player on the planet, why would he doubt anything? So I think he's fine."

Westbrook Electric Once Again 

We won't see much, if any, stylistic deviation from Houston this season. The Rockets will continue to treat mid-range shots as if they're the plague, and they're likely to lead the NBA in three-point attempts for the fourth straight season. But Westbrook may be a welcome outlier in Houston's rigid system.

The Rockets were abysmal from three on Monday, making just 4 of 25 threes in the first half en route to a 10-44 performance from beyond the arc. Non-P.J. Tucker Rockets finished the night 5-37 from three. The poor shooting effort would likely spell a loss on most nights.

Westbrook was a catalyst in overcoming the Rockets' shooting woes. He finished the night an efficient 9-16 from the field, and the former Thunder star was downright electric in the fourth quarter. Westbrook brings an athleticism unseen in Houston in prior years. He jumps passing lanes and flies to the tin. As the Rockets struggle from three, Westbrook can find a different way. His stylistic diversity is crucial to Houston's Finals hopes.

"[Westbrook] just brings a different element to the game," Harden said postgame. "His speed, his pace, his athleticism, his playmaking ability. He does so much and creates for his teammates and it's pretty tough to guard."

Westbrook made his greatest impact on Monday in the fourth quarter, registering the highlight of the night in the final minute. Westbrook corralled an offensive rebound and sliced downhill toward the rim before kicking the ball out to P.J. Tucker, setting up Tucker's fifth made three of the evening. The play was indicative of the boost Westbrook can bring even when he isn't controlling the game as a scorer. His fit in Houston has been seamless thus far. 

Stabilizing the Glass

Westbrook replacing Paul in Houston's starting lineups has been a major antidote to the Rockets' rebounding struggles from last season. Houston finished No. 27 in the NBA in rebounding rate in 2018-19, but the Rockets won the rebounding battle in each of their first two contests this year before nearly matching Oklahoma City on Monday. The Thunder have historically bullied the Rockets on the boards in previous seasons. This year may be a different story, even when D'Antoni leans on lineups with P.J. Tucker at the five. Danuel House adds further athleticism on the perimeter alongside Westbrook. The upgrades should vault Houston out of the bottom third in rebounding this season.