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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 sport Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Houston. The Rockets gained 107-104. (AP Picture/David J. Phillip)
HOUSTON — Fred VanVleet scored 26 factors and Alperen Sengun added 23 to guide the Houston Rockets to a 107-104 win over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday evening.
Houston’s six-game profitable 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 greatest begin for the reason that 2018-19 season. The Rockets improved to 6-3 after beginning the season 0-3.
“We’re getting higher,” VanVleet stated. “We will really feel the development trending upward, we’re attempting to get extra issues carried out 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 huge 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 stepping into. He had that familiarity with the group and clearly that was useful, but it surely was nice to see him come by down the stretch, end the sport and make some huge photographs. I’m comfortable 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 taking pictures 9 of 18 from the sector.
The Sengoon Present aired stay from Toyota Middle tonight 🍿 pic.twitter.com/wUpHPItUwM
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 13, 2023
“I feel it’s a great factor that they’re taking part in extra by him,” Jokic stated of Sengun. “I feel it’s going to learn their entire group. He’s a man who will not be egocentric, he desires to play for the group, he desires to move, and the entire group goes to maneuver when the ball is in his arms. He performed actually good at present.”
Behind Jokic, Michael Porter Jr. scored 25 factors, Aaron Gordon had 16 and Reggie Jackson added 14.
“The best problem that we have now is we’re attempting to compete for a championship but additionally develop 4 younger gamers off the bench,” Nuggets coach Mike Malone stated. “That’s insanely exhausting as a result of younger gamers are going to have nights like tonight, and it’s a must to proceed to assist them and assist them in any manner you could, and that’s what we’re going to do. We all know these guys are succesful.”
Houston has gained two in a row towards Denver following a 10-game dropping streak.
“It provides us one other feather in our cap,” Udoka stated. “It provides 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 robust photographs, however that’s anticipated from a championship-caliber group.”
UP NEXT
Nuggets: Host the Los Angeles Clippers as a part of the NBA In-Season Match play on Tuesday evening.
Rockets: Open up a three-game California highway journey with the Clippers on Friday evening.
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