Houston Rockets Knock Out Sacramento Kings 113-109 In OT

It’s official — the Houston Rockets quick, two-game West Coast swing is over.

And they did quite well despite the fact that the team continues to remain short-handed for each contest they have undertook as of late.

This was one of the Rockets’ toughest tests — facing two formidable teams on the road in a back-to-back.

They certainly deserve a solid grade for what they’ve done.

They faced a Golden State Warriors team Wednesday night that had won 13 games in-a-row, boasting the league’s best record at 18-2.

I strongly believed that the Rockets were going to buck that trend but the Warriors’ firepower was too great in the 4th quarter.

The script seemingly played out just like their previous meeting Nov. 8 — the Rockets would hang with them for three quarters but would succumb to the plethora of weapons their team has.

It also helps that they’re healthy as well.

It still was a valiant effort but the Rockets had to quickly transition to their next opponent — the Sacramento Kings.

This was the 2nd time that they had faced them this season.

Last contest involved a 102-89 beat down of the Kings at Toyota Center where the Rockets maintained control and didn’t really have to look back.

But things have changed as both teams were missing some key starters such as — Dwight Howard, Terrence Jones and Demarcus Cousins.

Dec 11, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Injured Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) and guard

Isaiah Canaan

(0) on the bench against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Houston Rockets defeated the Sacramento Kings 113-109 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

It doesn’t matter — the next man up must compete and try to win.

That’s why you play the games.

Anyway, let’s get to it!

It was all Kings early-in as they went on a 7-0 run to start out the game.

The run was lead by Ben McLemore three-pointer, and two jump shots by Jason Thompson and Darren Collison.

The bleeding was finally stopped at the 9:35 mark when Donatas Motienjunas hooked in a beautiful shot in the paint to put the Rockets on the board. Kings 9, Rockets 2

The Kings then went on another 7-0 run putting themselves up over the Rockets by 11 points with 4:04 left in the 1st quarter. Kings 18, Rockets 7

The Rockets had gone completely cold and were turning the ball over as if it was going out of style causing that run to happen in the first place.

However, Patrick Beverley chipped in a jump shot and a three-ball in addition to Jason Terry providing a bucket to put the Rockets within eight points with 2:23 left in the 1st. Kings 22, Rockets 14

Dec 11, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) fouls Sacramento Kings forward

Derrick Williams

(13) on a shot during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Houston Rockets defeated the Sacramento Kings 113-109 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Rockets would continue to trail and the Kings lead 26-16 at the end of the 1st quarter.

It was more of the same for the 2nd quarter as the closest the Rockets were able to get was within five points with a Motiejunas jumper with 1:02 left in the half. Kings 39, Rockets 34

Despite the Rockets’ efforts to get a little closer, the Kings’ hot shooting would continue to keep the Rockets at bay and they’d still continue to lead 46-36 at the half.

The Rockets came out firing at the start of the 2nd half with James Harden and Motiejunas leading a 5-0 run to put the Rockets within four points. This run culminated with a Harden finishing strong with dunk after driving in the lane. Kings 46, Rockets 42

Things got intense and Beverley continued to clamp up on his defense and was giving Rudy Gay fits.

The two had words for each other after Gay missed a reverse layup and Beverley was called for a foul while valiantly trying to go for the ball after the rebound.

Dec 11, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; NBA referee Courtney Kirkland (61) separates Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) and Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) with Sacramento Kings forward Jason Thompson (34) during an altercation during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Houston Rockets defeated the Sacramento Kings 113-109 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

They were slapped with double technical fouls and Gay was able to convert both free throws.

The Kings continued to make their living at the free throw line — six total trips within the quarter — as the Rockets continued to not necessarily make the best decisions in terms of defending their opponent as well as frequently turning the ball over.

The Kings continued to lead as Harden would drive one in for two with 55.3 seconds left in the 3rd, cutting the Rockets’ deficit to eight. That ended up being the final basket of the 3rd and the Rockets would still trail 69-61.

The Rockets were red-hot out of the gate at the start of the 4th.

Troy Daniels led the charge with a three to cap off their run followed by two threes by Terry, one by Trevor Ariza, putback by Nick Johnson and a layup by Harden to tie the game at 77-all with 7:19 left in regulation.

Dec 11, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard Nick Johnson (3) dunks the ball above Sacramento Kings guard

Ramon Sessions

(9) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Houston Rockets defeated the Sacramento Kings 113-109 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Derrick Williams briefly put the Kings up by one after connecting on of two free throws after a Beverley foul.

Then Daniels sunk another three with 6:46 left in the 4th putting the Rockets up 80-78, their first lead of the game.

Finally — they had a game there!

Then McLemore answered with a three of his own to put the Kings back up 81-80.

It would be back and forth until the toward the end of 4th when Motiejunas fouled Thompson, sending him to the line where he connected on both free throws. This put the Kings up by five. Kings 95, Rockets 90

Ariza drew a foul on the next possession off Williams and connecting on both free throws cutting the Rockets’ deficit back to three.

Gay had the ball on the next possession with 36.9 seconds left and tried to go for the win with a three but he missed badly off the back of the rim.

Beverley was able to get the rebound and the Rockets used a little bit of the clock to set their offense up for the perfect shot.

It definitely happened with Harden sinking a pivotal three tying the game at 95-all with 20.5 seconds left!

After a Kings timeout, the Gay had another opportunity to go for the win but he missed again with 0.9 seconds left after a Joey Dorsey rebound.

Dec 11, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) between Houston Rockets forward Joey Dorsey (8) and forward

Donatas Motiejunas

(20) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Houston Rockets defeated the Sacramento Kings 113-109 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Rockets took a timeout to draw a catch-and-shoot play for Harden but he unfortunately missed that opportunity.

OVERTIME!

Harden totally went out of his mind, scoring 10 of his 44 points in the overtime period.

He was amazing as to how he just turned up his intensity up a further notch with the rest of the Rockets falling in line.

Like a general who has just given the marching orders to the troops.

The Rockets would push their lead up by as much as nine points with 45.3 seconds left in overtime. Rockets 108, Kings 99

But both Collison and Stauskas each combined for three, three-point field goals eventually cutting the Rockets’ lead to two with 7.4 seconds left. Rockets 111, Kings 109

The Rockets were sweating a little but after McLemore fouled Harden with 7.1 seconds left, that sent him to the line.

Dec 11, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Jason Thompson (34) fouls Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) on a shot during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

You know what happened — he sank both free throws with confidence, closing the deal and putting the Rockets up for good. Final Score: Rockets 113, Kings 109

This was a gutsy, hard-fought win for the Rox!

Harden was, of course, the leader of all scorers with 44 points, eight dimes, four rebounds, three steals and one block in 47 minutes of action. He was 14-32 from the field and 13-of-15 from the charity stripe! Wow!

Beverley chipped in a double-double with 15 points and 10 boards, including shooting 4-for-8 from three-point land! Not bad for a pseudo-guard as I like to refer him to!