The Houston Rockets had little to play in the final game of the 2019-20 regular season after securing the Western Conference number 4 and their playoff matchup prior to the start. It showed on the square.
All-Star Guardian and MVP finalist James Harden had 27 points (56.3% FG) and 10 assists in just 26 minutes, but the Rockets were largely sluggish and sluggish in their loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday (134-96) uninspired. 43-30). Led by 18 points and seven rebounds from Tobias Harris, the Sixers scored 71 points in just the first half and with 3 pointers (47.4%) scored 18 out of 38 points for the entire game.
Jeff Green started and had 17 points (8-of-10 shooting, 80%) and four assists in 25 minutes, while Eric Gordon scored 13 points in 23 minutes and 3-of-6 from 3-point range (50% ) met. . It was a relatively encouraging shooting performance from Gordon, who is back in his second game after missing two weeks with a sprained left ankle.
Splash Gordon ☔️ pic.twitter.com/Dc07lP6YaR
– Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) 15th August 2020
After trailing 24 at halftime, the Houston starters beat the Sixers by 13 in the first six minutes of the third quarter, reducing the lead to 11 points. At this point, Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni drew his regulars after finally seeing positive momentum and not wanting to risk injury in a meaningless game. From there, Philadelphia’s reserves exceeded Houston’s reserves by 27 in the past quarter and a half.
The Rockets finished the shortened regular season 44-28, coupled with the Oklahoma City Thunder (their first-round playoff opponent) and the Utah Jazz. However, Houston ranks first among these teams in the three-way tiebreaker as it is the sole division winner.
Russell Westbrook (right quad load) and Danuel House Jr. (left toe sprain) didn’t play on Friday while all of the other starters played about two and a half quarters. House is expected to be back for Game 1 of the playoffs next Tuesday, while Westbrook may miss additional time.
The Rockets will now turn their full attention to the 2020 playoffs. Game 1 between the Rockets and Thunder will begin Tuesday night at 5:30 p.m. Central with a national broadcast on TNT and a regional version (with Houston announcers) on AT&T SportsNet Southwest.
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