The Western shock kept its promises, to the delight of the Rockets. Houston signed a third consecutive victory by beating the Thunder in a suspenseful match. Ime Udoka's players got off to the best start thanks to a hot Dillon Brooks from the start and a great presence on the offensive rebound. Opposite, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takes a little time to adjust his shot (1/6 to start). The gap climbs to eleven lengths several times in the second quarter with the activity of Tari Eason and the good passage of Fred VanVleet.
The Rockets leader's third foul five minutes before halftime coincides with the Thunder's renewed form, suddenly more liberated. Isaiah Hartenstein stabilizes Oklahoma City's rebound, and the “SGA” – Aaron Wiggins tandem finishes the job on offense. The tandem scored 14 of the visitors' last 16 points in the second quarter and allowed the visitors to completely revive, 62-60 at halftime.
And they don't stop there. The game tenses up and becomes more physical, a real duel of big names. It's not always very good, and the match even turns into a free throw contest at one point with 16 total fouls over the period and 26 shots attempted! This little ride offers a little respite to the Rockets, much more skillful on the line than in the game. The harsher tone of the debates suits Oklahoma City very well, carried by a great Gilegeous-Alexander, at 15 points in the third act . This time, it’s the Thunder who rule the roost (85-93, 34′).
A crazy end to the match
Everything comes together for an end to the knife fight, and we are not disappointed. Houston closes the ranks and finds life again through the activity of Jabari Smith. The Rockets return to height, despite the efforts of Jalen Williams, propelled as the first offensive option. The money time is extremely tight, and no team takes more than one possession in advance.
It’s all about exploits. With 90 seconds remaining, VanVleet scored one of the most decisive baskets of this first part of the season, more than ten meters away and at the 24-second buzzer to give his team a three-point lead. Cason Wallace responds behind the arc, but Dillon Brooks in turn goes for a basket at the last second of the possession after a fumbled ball, and the Rockets regain the advantage with 33 seconds remaining. Gilgeous-Alexander misses the equalizer, and Houston holds on to free throws to clinch a superb victory.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– We will have to count on these Rockets. Houston may not have made the playoffs since 2020, but this team obviously likes these atmospheres at the end of a very competitive match. As against the Wolves a few days earlier, or against the Sixers on Wednesday, the teammates of a very great Fred VanVleet (38 points, personal best of the season) resisted in the final moments. Here they are with an almost identical record to OKC – one more defeat – leading the West a quarter of the way through the season.
– The Thunder lacks solutions. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander held the house for a long time but disappeared a little in the fourth quarter. Around the Canadian and his “usual” 32 points, Jalen Williams did not shy away from his responsibilities at the end of the match, but with clumsiness (22 points… at 7/21). IF Isaiah Hartenstein confirmed his strong start to the season, he missed one more player capable of scoring with regularity.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
