Thunder at Rockets
THE STORY: Starting a stretch of three games in as many nights, the Oklahoma City Thunder got just what they wanted – and needed – in crushing the visiting Houston Rockets 109-94 on Friday night. The Thunder blew out to a big lead and had the luxury of resting their starters in the fourth quarter as they brace for a return matchup with the Rockets on Saturday night in Houston. Of course, the drubbing also allowed the Rockets to rest their key players in the finale of a three-game road trip that saw them go winless. Houston did not exactly distinguish itself defensively in the three losses in four nights, allowing its opponents an average of 111.3 points per game while falling to 0-5 on the road. Oklahoma City is in the midst of playing five games in six nights – the last two on the road at Memphis and New Orleans.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Oklahoma (Oklahoma City), FS Houston
ABOUT THE THUNDER (6-2): Sixth man James Harden has found his long-range shooting stroke after a mini-slump, hitting both 3-point attempts Friday in his second consecutive 23-point effort. Harden was 3 for 7 from behind the arc in his previous game following a three-game stretch in which he was 2 of 13. He has scored in double figures in every game and is averaging 17.5 points. Harden has hit all 30 free-throw attempts in the last five games.
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (2-5): Houston PG Kyle Lowry sat out the loss with a foot injury – and that was only part of his troubles Friday. He also learned he is facing a misdemeanor battery charge in Las Vegas after he was accused of throwing a ball at a female official and threatening her in September. Lowry was off to a great start, averaging 15.3 points and 10 assists. He has a Feb. 2 court date in Las Vegas.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Thunder F Serge Ibaka hit his second career 3-pointer Friday night. Both have come against Houston, albeit more than two years apart.
2. Rockets PG Goran Dragic had 10 points and a career high-tying 11 assists in Lowry’s place.
3. Thunder G Thabo Sefolosha returned from a foot injury and went scoreless for the third time in seven games.