Houston Rockets’ Fred VanVleet (5) passes the ball as Denver Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. (1) and Nikola Jokic defend through the second half of an NBA basketball recreation Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Houston. The Rockets received 107-104. (AP Picture/David J. Phillip)
HOUSTON — Fred VanVleet scored 26 factors and Alperen Sengun added 23 to steer the Houston Rockets to a 107-104 win over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night time.
Houston’s six-game successful streak is the longest since January 2021.
Nikola Jokic had his fourth triple-double of the season, racking up 36 factors, 21 rebounds and 11 assists within the loss.
Jokic hit a 3 with 19.1 seconds remaining to chop Houston’s result in 103-102. He had a full-court shot on the buzzer to tie it however fell quick.
The Nuggets entered the sport 8-1, their finest begin because the 2018-19 season. The Rockets improved to 6-3 after beginning the season 0-3.
“We’re getting higher,” VanVleet stated. “We are able to really feel the pattern trending upward, we’re attempting to get extra issues accomplished that the coaches are asking us to do, and we’re executing at the next and better degree every trip.”
5️⃣ was hoopin’ tonight!
watch right here 👇 pic.twitter.com/n9wWwrRx3z
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 13, 2023
Rockets veteran Jeff Inexperienced hit an enormous 3 with 1:49 left within the fourth, placing Houston up 103-94. Inexperienced appeared in all 20 playoff video games throughout Denver’s championship run final season. Inexperienced scored 15 factors off the bench Sunday.
“He clearly made massive photographs and was attacking the basket,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka stated. “But additionally, all week, he had a ton of recommendation and expertise, and he was on the market being the quarterback on protection, calling out their units and what they have been moving into. He had that familiarity with the workforce and clearly that was useful, nevertheless it was nice to see him come by means of down the stretch, end the sport and make some massive photographs. I’m glad for him.”
Denver entered the fourth quarter with a 76-74 lead because of a 20-foot jumper from Collin Gillespie with 2 seconds left within the third.
Sengun added eight rebounds and 5 assists, whereas capturing 9 of 18 from the sphere.
The Sengoon Present aired dwell from Toyota Heart tonight 🍿 pic.twitter.com/wUpHPItUwM
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 13, 2023
“I believe it’s a great factor that they’re enjoying extra by means of him,” Jokic stated of Sengun. “I believe it’s going to profit their complete group. He’s a man who is just not egocentric, he needs to play for the workforce, he needs to cross, and the entire workforce goes to maneuver when the ball is in his fingers. He performed actually good in the present day.”
Behind Jokic, Michael Porter Jr. scored 25 factors, Aaron Gordon had 16 and Reggie Jackson added 14.
“The best problem that we now have is we’re attempting to compete for a championship but in addition develop 4 younger gamers off the bench,” Nuggets coach Mike Malone stated. “That’s insanely laborious as a result of younger gamers are going to have nights like tonight, and it’s important to proceed to assist them and assist them in any means which you could, and that’s what we’re going to do. We all know these guys are succesful.”
Houston has received two in a row towards Denver following a 10-game shedding streak.
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“It offers us one other feather in our cap,” Udoka stated. “It offers us expertise with late-game execution and getting the photographs we would like and defending. I’m proud of how we completed. They did hit some powerful photographs, however that’s anticipated from a championship-caliber workforce.”
UP NEXT
Nuggets: Host the Los Angeles Clippers as a part of the NBA In-Season Event play on Tuesday night time.
Rockets: Open up a three-game California street journey with the Clippers on Friday night time.