Houston Rockets Slip By The Oklahoma City Thunder 69-65

Goodness gracious Houston Rockets.

Was I watching a basketball game of the NBA’s yesteryear — before the start of shot-clock era — or was I watching a basketball game of the present?

That was one grotesque example of an NBA contest but the Rockets were able to get a win and that’s what matters.

I have no complaints because when a team’s is 9-1 on the season, obviously something is being done right.

We saw some of the lowest statistical numbers of the season by the Rockets.

It was BAD.

The Rockets scored a season-low 69 points, shot 29 percent from the field, and only hit 20 percent of their three-point treys.

Not the kind of night I was looking for.

Nov 16, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Houston Rockets center

Dwight Howard

(12) drives to the basket agianst Oklahoma City Thunder center

Kendrick Perkins

(5) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

However, the Rockets were able to somewhat neutralize Reggie Jackson/Serge Ibaka and they got plenty of opportunities to draw fouls to get to the line.

They also held the Thunder to 29 percent shooting from the field.

That was what was needed to win this basketball game, I didn’t think it was going to be this ugly doing that.

Things actually started out pretty solid — Patrick Beverley opened up his return with a three-pointer to put the Rockets on the board in the 1st quarter.

For the next four minutes, Donatas Motiejunas, Dwight Howard and James Harden would all contribute to an 11-4 run.

That was until Motiejunas fouled Lance Thomas sending him to the line to sink both of his free throws. Rockets 11, Thunder 6

The Rockets had much of the 1st quarter under control as they did lead by as much as seven points but the Thunder continued to be relentless in not allowing the Rockets to pull away too far as that quarter ended. Rockets 24, Thunder 19

For the 2nd quarter, the Rockets were in control but I’d like to designate that quarter as a block party — for the Thunder, that is.

Steven Adams, Kendrick Perkins, Jeremy Lamb and Ibaka were all hosts of that said party, swatting the Rockets’ shots left and right.

The Thunder had 15 blocks total as a team on the night.

It still wasn’t enough as the Rockets lead the Thunder 42-33 at the half.

After the start of the 2nd half, the Rockets went ice-cold and only managed to score a season-low nine points in the third quarter.

Nov 16, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Reggie Jackson (15) rebounds the ball against Houston Rockets forward

Trevor Ariza

(1) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

This horrible performance allowed the Thunder to erase the Rockets’ nine-point lead and take a two-point lead before the end of the quarter.

It felt like it took an eternity for the Rockets to get off 49 total points scored but Harden was able to slightly warm things up by drawing a foul off Anthony Morrow sending him to the line to knock down both of his free throws.

Despite the Rockets meager 3rd quarter performance, both teams were tied at 51-all at the end of the quarter.

The Thunder opened the quarter with a quick three-point lead with Sebastian Telfair being able to knock down one from behind-the-arc.

Nick Collison was then charged with a hard foul on Howard causing the call to be elevated to a flagrant Level 1.

Howard sank one of two free throws.

Francisco Garcia answered the call by knocking down a three putting the Rockets back up by one.

He made two of the Rockets seven total three-point field goals and would end up having six points on the night.

The score was tied at 65-all with 1:59 left in the 4th quarter after Jackson converted a free throw off a Trevor Ariza technical foul.

Nov 16, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) and Thunder guard Reggie Jackson (15) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The teams continued to jockey for position throughout the rest of quarter but it was Harden that once again rose to the occasion to put the Thunder away for good.

His five critical points down the stretch — including a three-point dagger with 1:19 left — were what put the Rockets over the top.

This game wasn’t impressive within any account but a W is a W.

Harden once again lead all scorers with 19 points, nine boards and five dimes.

Howard scored 12 points with nine rebounds — ending his consecutive double-double streak tonight.

Beverley had an effective night, shooting the ball solidly and knocking down a couple of three-pointers while playing hard-nosed defense.

He had 12 points, eight rebounds and two acts of larceny in 28 minutes of action.