Denver Nuggets Rally Back But Come Up Short In Overtime Loss To The Houston Rockets, 130-125
By Andrew Dill
Apr 6, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) hits a three-pointer over Denver Nuggets guard Randy Foye (4) to tie the game during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. The Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets in overtime130-125.Mandatory Credit: Andrew Richardson-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Nuggets (33-44) rallied in the third quarter outscoring the Houston Rockets 36-19, but the Rockets would hold on in overtime to defeat the Nuggets by the final of 130-125. Denver would fall behind at halftime after a terrible defensive effort in the second quarter where Houston outscored them 47-25. James Harden would lead the way for the Rockets, scoring a game-high 32 points on 9-of-23 shooting, cashing in 11-of-12 free throw attempts.
Every member of the Rockets starting five scored in double-figures alongside Harden. Jeremy Lin would chip in 19 points, Omer Asik collected 18 points and 23 rebounds, Chandler Parsons with 15, and Terrance Jones would score 14. Denver’s Evan Fournier would score a team-high 26 points off the bench as he would go off from distance. He scored 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including 6-of-10 from behind-the-arc.
Just like Houston, Denver’s starting-five would also score in double-figures. Aaron Brooks (replacing Ty Lawson with an ankle injury) scored 24 points on 11-of-24 shooting, collecting 15 assists to go with 3 steals. Quincy Miller would chip in 19 while Timofey Mozgov scored 15 points with 7 rebounds. Nuggets standout power forward Kenneth Faried would record another double-double, scoring 16 points on 7-of-17 shooting, collecting 13 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks.
Denver dug themselves into a hole in the fourth quarter where they would score just three points in the final four minutes. Houston would go on a 16-3 run to end the fourth which would spell overtime. Rookie Isaiah Canaan was solid off the bench for the Rockets, scoring 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting while going 4-of-7 from deep.
The Denver Nuggets (33-44) return to action Tuesday night as their road-trip continues. They will be taking on the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 PM ET, 8:30 PM MT.