Nets at Rockets Recap: Rocket Domination

After getting embarrassed by the Memphis Grizzlies, Deron Williams seemed to have that in mind and decided to light it up in the first quarter. He would be perfect from the field scoring 20. The rest of the team only scored nine points but they would still be up after that quarter. James Harden was the main Rockets player who troubled the Nets with an early 10 points and 3 assist.

Jerry Stackhouse would enter  the second quarter and net 6 points but their defensive was non existent. The Rockets scored 32 points in the paint and 18 of those were fast-break points. Those points were a result of a jump-shot heavy offense and the Nets only scored 6 points in the paint of the first half. Brook Lopez was 1 of 6 from the floor which made the Nets shy away from him. Houston would get up to an 18 point lead off of a balanced attack with three pointers and points in the paint. But, C.J. Watson helped bring the Nets back within 13.

Early in the second half, Houston dominated pushing the lead to 20. Their speed was a factor and they exploited that after every missed jump-shot. Harden would continue to be a pest at the free throw line, making 10 out of 11. The Nets did fight back and made it a nine point game at the end of the third quarter. Mirza Teletovic was inserted into the game and the offense had better spacing. Despite Joe Johnson and Lopez struggling, they managed to produce some sort of offense during that run.

Brooklyn showed some heart late during the third quarter and continued to fight in the fourth. However, the Rockets would always answer.  Omir Asik dominated Lopez, getting 20 points and 16 rebounds. Chandler Parsons joined the party getting 16 points and ll assist and James Harden finished with 29 and 7.

Deron Williams finished with 27 and 11 but his shooting mentality was contagious and it did not help Brooklyn. They shot a season high 36 three-pointers and only made 16. Brook Lopez had some good stats but he should of had way more touches down low. Johnson had a tough game and was basically invisible the whole night. The Nets need to find a way to stop high paced teams because they can't beat anyone who pushes the pace.Also, the Nets haven't won in Houston since the year 2006.

Box Score

Final Score:106-119 Rockets
Most Disappointing Stat: Nets allowed 119 points and 60 in the paint.
Promising Stat of the Game: Deron Williams scored 20 in the first quarter.
Scary Moment of the Game:  Williams injury in the second quarter.
Best Moment of the Game: James Harden converted on a beautiful layup.

Follow @NetsTakeOver