Houston Rockets Blog – Page 48 – NBA Blog

Parsons, Patterson lead Rockets past Jazz

There’s a lot more to the Houston Rockets’ offense than just James Harden.

Patrick Patterson scored 20 points, Chandler Parsons and Jeremy Lin had 19 apiece and the Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 124-116 on Saturday night.

Harden finished with 18 points and seven assists for the Rockets, who shot a season-best 55 percent (46 of 83) and hit half of their 3-point shots at 11 of 22. Greg Smith and Carlos Delfino each scored 13.

Houston scored a season-high 39 points in the fourth quarter, and it’s averaging 113 points during a five-game home winning streak…

The Rockets finished with 26 assists, just shy of the season-high 30 they had in a 117-101 home win over Toronto on Tuesday. Houston had seven players score in double figures for the first time this year…

Omer Asik had 14 points and 12 rebounds for Houston. He briefly left the game after taking an elbow from Hayward, but returned for the final minutes.

Gordon Hayward had 13 of his 21 points in the second half and Al Jefferson and Randy Foye each scored 20 for Utah. The Jazz lost despite shooting 51 percent (48 of 94) overall and going 11 for 20 from 3-point range.

— Reported by Chris Duncan of the Associated Press

Houston Rockets assign Terrence Jones and Scott Machado to D-League

The Houston Rockets today assigned rookies Terrence Jones and Scott Machado to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets’ NBA Development League affiliate. The assignment is the first for Jones and the second for Machado, and the 25th and 26th of the 2012-13 NBA and NBA D-League seasons.

Jones (6-9, 252, Kentucky) has appeared in seven games for the Rockets this season, averaging 3.6 points, 2.0 rebounds and 10.4 minutes. Selected in the first round (18th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft by the Rockets, Jones averaged 14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 76 career games for the Wildcats. A member of the 2012 NCAA Championship team, Jones earned Second-Team All-SEC honors last season and was selected the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2010-11.

Machado (6-1, 205, Iona) returns to the Vipers having been assigned from Nov. 14-26, when he appeared in two games and averaged 16.0 points, 8.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds. In one game for the Rockets this season, Machado scored two points in three minutes. A four-year contributor at Iona, Machado was named MAAC Player of the Year in 2012 and finished with a Gaels’ record 880 career assists.

Jones and Machado are expected to join the Vipers today and be available tonight when the team visits the Tulsa 66ers.

Thunder pound Rockets in James Harden return to OKC

James Harden’s return to Oklahoma City was only a small part of an emotional day for the Houston Rockets.

Kevin Durant matched his season high with 37 points and the Thunder beat Houston 120-98 on Wednesday night, after the Rockets made a stop in Minnesota earlier in the day to attend the funeral of coach Kevin McHale’s daughter.

Harden scored 17 points, but was limited to 3-for-16 shooting. He had six shots blocked by the Thunder.

After a draining 24 hours, he was ready to put it behind him.

”It felt good just to be competing against those guys and finally get this over with, to play here and get it over with,” Harden said. ”Now, I can continue on with the season.”

Harden missed his first nine shots, and by the time he made one, the Rockets were down by double digits in the second half. They never got closer than 10 after that.

— Reported by Jeff Latzke of the Associated Press

Rockets to attend Sasha McHale funeral

Rockets players and coaches did not know if they could help, but were certain that they had to try, that they had to be there for Kevin McHale and his family.

About 40 members of the team, coaches and staff were scheduled to fly to Minneapolis from Houston after tonight’s game against Toronto to attend the funeral of McHale’s daughter Sasha. Sasha McHale passed away on Saturday at 23 of complications of the disease Lupus.

“It’s real important,” Patrick Patterson said. “We have to support coach McHale. He’s a priority. He’s part of this family. His family is part of our family. We have to show him that we care, that we love him, each and every one of them.

“I believe and I hope it helps from the standpoint of support. There’s not too much words can really do, but knowing people are there supporting, knowing you have a family, a team, an organization behind you and understands what you’re going through, that’s what we want to show coach McHale and the McHale family. We love them and we’re here for them.”

— Reported by Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle (Blog)

Houston Rockets recall guard Scott Machado from D-League

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has recalled guard Scott Machado from Houston’s single-affiliation NBA D-League partner Rio Grande Valley.

Machado (6-1, 205, Iona), who was assigned to Rio Grande Valley on Nov. 13, averaged 16.0 points, 8.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds in two starts with the Vipers. In Friday’s season opener against Bakersfield (11/23/12), Machado posted 20 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. In the second meeting with the Jam (11/24/12), he added 12 points, eight assists and a pair of steals.

Houston Rockets recall Donatas Motiejunas from D-League

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has recalled forward/center Donatas Motiejunas from Houston’s single-affiliation NBA D-League partner Rio Grande Valley.

Motiejunas (7-0, 222, Lithuania), who was assigned to Rio Grande Valley on Nov. 13, averaged 24.0 points and 9.5 rebounds in two starts with the Vipers. In Friday’s season opener against Bakersfield, Motiejunas led the team with 31 points and eight boards in 36 minutes. Last night, he posted a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds against the Jam.

Raymond Felton points out he has way more experience than Jeremy Lin

Jeremy Lin’s magical, memorable run last season led to more attention and money than anyone could have imagined, and may have caused some resentment among his old

Knicks teammates. Even some who didn’t play with him have grown tired of hearing about Lin.

Raymond Felton, who replaced Lin after the Knicks opted not to match the Rockets’ three-year, $25.1-million offer, thinks it’s ridiculous to compare the two of them.

But that point-guard matchup will be front and center Friday night when the Knicks play the Rockets.

“I’ve been in this league eight years,” Felton said. “He’s been in this league half of a year, coming into a year now. I definitely can’t see how nobody can compare me

and him together. I’ve been in this league way longer, got much more of a body of work.”

— Reported by Al Iannazzone of New York Newsday

George, Hibbert lead Pacers over Hornets in OT

Paul George scored 33 of his career-high 37 points after halftime and Roy Hibbert had a triple-double to help the Indiana Pacers beat the New Orleans Hornets 115-107 in overtime on Wednesday night.

George made a team record nine 3-pointers, all after halftime. Hibbert had 10 points, 11 rebounds and a career-best 11 blocks, and David West and George Hill each scored 16 points for the Pacers (6-7), who have won three of four.

Robin Lopez had 21 points and 13 rebounds for New Orleans, but he made just 3 of 17 field goals. Jason Smith added 18 points for the Hornets (3-7), who lost their fifth straight.

Number one overall pick Anthony Davis missed his second consecutive game for New Orleans with a stress reaction in his left ankle.

— Reported by Cliff Brunt of the Associated Press

Lakers beat Rockets for 4th win in 5 games

After just two practices and two games together, Kobe Bryant already can see Mike D’Antoni’s ideas and schemes improving the Los Angeles Lakers.

Although a triple-double isn’t usually part of Bryant’s game plan, he happily picked it up along with another win for a team that has been revitalized before their new coach has even taken the court.

Bryant had 22 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists for his 18th career triple-double, and the Lakers ran past the Houston Rockets 119-108 Sunday night for their fourth victory in five games since firing coach Mike Brown.

Dwight Howard had 28 points and 13 rebounds, and Pau Gasol scored his 15,000th career point among his 17 as the Lakers returned to .500 by running away from their second straight opponent since D’Antoni took over their practices. Although D’Antoni and his surgically replaced knee haven’t even appeared on Los Angeles’ bench yet, his new team is already playing with passion and fluidity it hadn’t showed during a miserable start to the season…

Chandler Parsons scored 24 points and James Harden had 20 for the Rockets, who have lost six of eight. Coach Kevin McHale missed his fourth straight game during a leave of absence to deal with a family matter.

— Reported by Greg Beacham of the Associated Press

Royce White would be OK with walking away from NBA

Houston Rockets rookie Royce White says he is prepared to walk away from the NBA.

Speaking in an interview with ESPN’s Colleen Dominguez, White said he was going to meet with general manager Daryl Morey on Monday to discuss his situation with the team.

The Rockets have said they intend to fine White for every day he remains away from the team or does not attend sessions with a therapist arranged by the team. The Houston Chronicle has reported the Rockets have no plans to trade or release White.

— Reported by ESPN.com

InsideHoops.com Note: Royce White today tweeted this: “I’m not PLANNING to quit, but if its between my HEALTH and BASKETBALL, health takes precedence. You should never choose ANYTHING over it. NBA might be a dream come true, but being UNHEALTHY isn’t, people will know I stood up for myself and what’s right.”