It was raining three-pointers in Houston. Jeremy Lin (28 PTS, 9 AST) hit five of the Rockets’ team record 23 triples, which equals the NBA mark. James Harden (18 PTS, 7 AST, 3 STL) and Chandler Parsons (16 PTS, 8 REB) added four apiece, and the bench knocked down another nine. As a team, they shot 23-40 from deep (57.5%) and scored 140 points, 77 in the first half. Omer Asik (11 PTS, 15 REB) didn’t attempt a three, but if he had, it would have swished. Stephen Curry has a rare off-night (7 PTS, 9 AST) for the Warriors, who pretty much conceded the second half, allowing their reserves to play the final 18 minutes. Carlos Delfino (elbow) didn’t play for Houston, but James Anderson (8 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST, 2 3PTM) looked good in his 22 minutes.
Other February 5 Game Recaps
ATL @ IND: Two down, one to go for Indiana in the first (and only) back-to-back-to-back of the NBA season. Paul George (29 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST) led seven Pacers in double figures; scoring 100+ has recently become commonplace for the team that was winning 82-81 and 81-76 games not long ago. Atlanta got 24 points and 8 assists from Indianapolis native Jeff Teague, but Al Horford (15 PTS, 8 REB) was in foul trouble and Josh Smith (9 PTS, 10 REB, 4 TO) did not seem all that inspired. Rookie John Jenkins (14 PTS) played 20 minutes off the Hawks’ bench; Devin Harris (foot, ankle) missed his fourth game in the last seven.
LAL @ BRK: There will be a strong temptation for injured Dwight Howard (shoulder) to return now that Pau Gasol is sidelined. Gasol (15 PTS, 4 REB) heard a pop in his right foot late in the game and left the arena on crutches. Earl Clark (14 PTS, 12 REB) becomes more important than ever for the Lakers and Antawn Jamison (9 PTS, 8 AST), who started for suspended Metta World Peace, will be very prominent in the rotation. The Nets fell behind in the second quarter, battled back to get the lead then gave up a decisive 10-0 run in the final three minutes. Brook Lopez (30 PTS, 11 REB, 3 BLK) was by far their best player; his teammates shot 31% for the night and Deron Williams (15 PTS, 6 AST, 5 REB) committed five turnovers. Kobe Bryant (21 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST, 4 STL) and Steve Nash (17 PTS, 8 AST) led a balanced L.A. attack.
PHO @ MEM: I didn’t see that coming at all. Marcin Gortat (20 PTS, 7 REB) dominated Marc Gasol (6 PTS, 3 REB) who fouled out in just 22:40, then Jermaine O’Neal — who had missed the last seven games — poured it on (14 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK in 25 minutes) against Memphis backup C Darrell Arthur (4 PTS on 1-10 shooting). Both Phoenix big men were on the floor in crunch time. The Grizzlies got 29 points from sixth man Jerryd Bayless and Zach Randolph (21 PTS, 13 REB) showed more life, but they were no match for the Suns and Goran Dragic down the stretch. Suffering from a virus and with just two points on 1-6 shooting after three quarters, Dragic hit 5-6 shots for 15 points in the final 8:34 of the game. Rookie Kendall Marshall set new career highs with 33 minutes, 11 points, four assists and three 3-pointers, even playing at SG during the final rally. Tayshaun Prince (11 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL) made his first start at SF for his new team.