Nuggets vs. Rockets Takeaways: One Last Hurrah On Their Home Floor
HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets recorded a 124-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets during their final home game of the season. Here are three takeaways from the Rockets' home finale Tuesday night.
Alperen Sengun outshines his idol Nikola Jokic:
Coach Stephen Silas said he spoke to Alperen Sengun following the Rockets' win over the Nuggets. Silas wanted to share how proud he was of the defensive effort Sengun showcased inside the Toyota Center.
"I thought Alpi had the best defensive game of his career," Silas said. "I thought he did an amazing job on the defensive end."
Sengun finished with three steals and a block. But the box score does not show Sengun's improved defensive impact.
Silas said his effort was there. And Jalen Green added that Sengun spent the night communicating on the defensive end by calling out screens and stepping up in the pick-and-roll.
He saved his best all-around performance for his idol Nikola Jokic. Sengun helped the Rockets limit Jokic to 14 points while outshining his favorite player with 20 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
"He showed up and showed he can play defense and score the ball at the same time," Green said. "He takes it personal against Jokic."
Josh Christopher and Tari Eason revamp Rockets' bench:
If not for the lackluster bench production against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Rockets may have closed their final homestand on a three-game winning streak. But after a lousy play against the Lakers, Josh Christopher's and Tari Eason's production played a major role in the Rockets' victory over the Nuggets.
Houston's reserve unit scored 24 points, with Christopher and Eason combining for 21. Eason's 11 points and seven rebounds were on par with his season averages. But Christopher provided the Rockets with their most significant output.
Christopher played 18 minutes and added 13 points, three rebounds and three steals. He was a part of the five-man lineup that held the Nuggets to seven points at the start of the fourth quarter.
According to Silas, Kevin Porter Jr. denied subbing back into the game until halfway through the fourth period due to Christopher's great play.
"When Tari and Josh were in the game, it was pretty special," Silas said. "The other special part was Scoot [Kevin Porter Jr.]. That showed maturity and growth.
"I love Josh. We have had a lot of talks about his playing time and what could get him on the court. There were times he wasn't in the rotation. If you are going to work hard and be ready for the moment, that will give you a chance."
Stephen Silas' last home game as coach of the Rockets?
Before the game, Silas took a moment to speak on the uncertainty surrounding his future. In the final season of his three-year contract, Silas has not had any conversations with owner Tilman Fertitta and general manager Rafael Stone about his job status. Silas' fourth year on his contract is a team option for the 2023-24 campaign.
"This was big for coach Silas," Green said. "When he is talking to us, he's telling us how much we mean to him and how much we need to stay together. We gotta be there for him. We gotta get dubs for him. And we gotta play hard for him."
Best performance:
Sengun had his finest all-around performance of the season and was Houston's best player throughout the full 48 minutes. But Sengun wasn't alone in his play against the Nuggets. He could share the honor with his second year draftmate, Jalen Green.
Green began the night shooting 6-for-8 for 14 points. His hot scoring set an early tone for the Rockets. Green finished with a game-high 32 points on 12-for-27 shooting, 4-for-8 from behind the arc in 38 minutes.
Worst performance:
Nearly every player who stepped onto the floor of the Toyota Center left a positive impact for the Rockets, except for Daishen Nix.
Nix played five minutes but recorded the team's lowest plus/minus of the night (-10). He was a part of the bench unit that allowed the Nuggets to embark on a 13-2 run during the first three minutes of the second quarter.
Final Words:
"It was great. These guys are young, but they care. They are starting to understand what's important. They are starting to understand that the togetherness part is a big part of it. They are proud to be Houston Rockets." — Stephen Silas
You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24
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