Eric Gordon Bounces Back as Rockets Defeat Pelicans
The Rockets appeared to be taking a brief respite from The James Harden Show in New Orleans on Monday, but the two-time scoring champion had other plans in the fourth quarter. Harden scored 15 straight points in the final period as Houston defeated the scuffling Pelicans 122-116, carrying the Rockets late as the Pelicans threatened to pull off the comeback.
Harden and Co. have now won four straight as they return home, capitalizing on a soft part of their schedule before Wednesday's matchup against Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers. The Rockets are holding firm as contenders for the Western Conference crown after 10 games, now sitting at 7–3. The early-season concerns are beginning to dissipate.
Here are three takeaways from the Rockets' victory.
Gordon Finds His Groove
Harden was Houston's engine in the final 12 minutes, but Eric Gordon was perhaps the most effective Rocket for much of Monday evening. Gordon finished the game 6-11 from the field and 4-7 from three, turning in his best performance of the season with 16 points in 29 minutes. The effort was a needed respite from a string of poor outings.
Gordon crawled out of the gate in 2019-20, entering Monday night shooting just 25.4% from three. He may have performed worse than his shooting metrics suggest. Gordon passed up open triples and committed a slew of turnovers, perhaps unable to find his footing without Chris Paul. But Monday suggests Gordon may be settling into his new point guard, and his new sixth-man role. Gordon engaged with Westbrook and Harden on a slate of pick-and-rolls on Monday, and he had no problem launching from his usual spot far beyond the arc. Gordon is a crucial player for Houston's Finals hopes not just this year, but well into the 2020s. He began to look like his old self against New Orleans.
Harden Takes Over
Harden followed up his Western Conference Player of the Week honor on Monday with a middling first three quarters, bricking seven missed threes along with six turnovers. But what appeared to be a dud to close the road trip quickly turned into another scoring explosion in the fourth quarter as Harden finished the night with a game-high 39 points.
The 2017-18 MVP scorched the Pelicans with a 15 consecutive Rockets points in the fourth quarter, showing off his deep offensive arsenal. Harden's floater began to fall and he buried the way to the tin, adding a pair of deep step backs for good measure. His first triple of the fourth quarter gave Houston a double-digit lead after a brief Pelicans' run.
We need to start considering whether Harden will break the non-Wilt scoring record. Michael Jordan holds the crown with 37 points per game in 1986-87, and Harden entered Monday at 37.1 points per game. Small sample size is at least partially responsible, though Harden is still shooting under 30% from three. His current pace should be sustainable throughout the year. Jordan's modern record could be broken by The Beard.
Westbrook's Uneven Evening
Russell Westbrook flashed his brilliance in spurts on Monday, driving Houston's attack early as Harden struggled from the field. His performance was stronger than his four assists suggests, with the fellow former MVP generating numerous hockey assists out of transition opportunities. Westbrook's dynamism in the open floor is leaps ahead of Chris Paul, and his heightened pace is a welcome sign for Houston's bench units. Run to the open spot, and Westbrook will find you.
But the warts of Westbrook's game remain frustrating. His insistence on mid-range shots and post-ups can negate the immense physical tools, and transition turnovers are common. Westbrook's poor three-point shooting is the most glaring shortcoming, with Westbrook finishing Monday's night 1-8 from three. His presence on the wing or in the corner often allows a help defender to crowd Harden.
Westbrook is an upgrade over Paul in the aggregate. His athleticism is overwhelming, the energy is infectious. Yet it's hard to wonder whether the unsavory aspects in his game will rear their ugly head in May. Luckily for Houston, they have 72 games left to find the optimal situation for their dynamic, yet imperfect point guard.
Up Next: vs. Clippers on Wednesday
Houston closed the soft part of its schedule with a four-game win streak. Now comes the hard part. Kawhi Leonard (and perhaps Paul George) come to the Toyota Center on Wednesday in a potential Western Conference playoff battle, and they'll be joined by familiar faces Patrick Beverley and Montrezl Harrell. Los Angeles is off on Tuesday, so a night off for Leonard is doubtful.
