Ime Udoka After Houston Rockets' First Road Win: 'We Did an Incredible Job Defensively'
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The Houston Rockets finally won a game on the road, for the first time this season. The 114-106 win against the defending champion Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win.
Jokic was held to 23 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists, which is considered an off night for him. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. also added over 20 points, and both teams shot only 42 percent from the floor.
Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives at Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) in the second half at Ball Arena.
Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
For Houston, it was their guards who led the way. Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green scored 26 and 25, respectively. Alperen Sengun contributed a double-double, and the team received praise for their effort on both ends of the floor.
“I think we did an incredible job defensively,” Ime Udoka said after the game. In the first half, Houston was cold from three but was able to outscore Denver by four points. In the third quarter, Houston took a commanding 92-74 lead, but nearly squandered it in the fourth quarter. Luckily, their shooting improved in the second half just enough to keep them in it.
“We were six of 25 from three [in the first half] and had pretty much all wide-open looks. Especially at the start, we missed a few. So we said keep taking those shots, be aggressive and they’ll fall and I think we’re seven of 14 in the second half,” Udoka said. “Shot it much better, got to the free throw line a ton, 42 free throws…and like I said, we guarded well so that’s a recipe for success.”
After barely skimming by Denver to take a 3-1 series lead, Udoka seemed pleased that Houston won’t have to play them again. “Unless it’s the playoffs we won’t see them again this year, I’m fine with it.”
The way things have been shaping up for Houston so far, a playoff matchup with Denver seems more than likely as the Rockets’ rebuild looks to be coming to an end.
