HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets had the best record in the NBA last season winning 65 games. Well, just twelve games into the 2018-19 campaign they’re 5-7 and finally won their first home game on Sunday beating the Indiana Pacers 115-103. It’s a huge change from a year ago when they seemed like world beaters. James Harden put the team on his back and dropped off 40 points on his way to Big Momma’s house as Chris Paul gave the Pacers 26 just in case they weren’t paying attention. Clint Capella had 18 and PJ Tucker dropped off a solid 12.
The Pacers gave them everything they had but still fell short with five players in double figures. They were led by Victor Oladipo’s 22 points followed by Bojan Bagdanovic’s 20 as both Thaddeus Young and Darren Collison dropped off 13 apiece. Domantes Sabonis came through with a solid 11.
Myles Turner got paid at the start of the season to the tune of $80 million over a 4 year period with potential bonuses included and he’s become like the Invisible Man. He played 24 minutes and only put up 9 points and 3 rebounds. At least he was 100 percent from the foul line going 3 for 3. What’s up with that?
He’s put up single digit points and rebounds in the last 4 games. That’s not what $80 million over 4 years is supposed to look like. I’m just saying.
The Pacers struggles all season has been in the rebounding and free throws department. They managed to pull down 35 rebounds in Houston on Sunday night which was only 3 shy of the Rockets’ total. However, they did continue to struggle from the foul line shooting only 77 percent but it was much improved from the 65 and 66 percent we’ve seen this season.
Although they shot 46 percent from the field they struggled from behind the arc shooting 38 percent.
Nate McMillan’s goal every game is for his team to have at least 24 assists and they hit that goal. It’s still early in the season and they’re working the kinks out. They’ve got a winning record of 8-6 right now and they’re 5-3 on the road. That’s huge because it’s tough to pick up road wins in this league. Up next: Miami at home on Friday.