Houston Rockets Clobber Brooklyn Nets 113-99

The Houston Rockets, fresh from some slight rest on a day off, headed back up to Big Apple in a span of less than one week.

There was the usual sighting of hip-hip mogul Jay-Z and had an opportunity to rub elbows with James Harden while enjoying the game from his court side seats.

The team went to go toe-to-toe with the Brooklyn Nets — a team that has been up-and-down for most of this season.

Literally toe-to-toe.

The highlight to this game was a brief altercation between Dwight Howard and Kevin Garnett at the mid-point of the 1st quarter.

These two had been going at it in the paint from the start and when the two were tussling in the paint attempting to get an advantage in the paint.

With 7:53 left in the 1st quarter, Garnett was called for a foul, when Howard gently used his forearm to tap Garnett on the chest.

This infuriated Garnett causing him to head-butt Howard then that’s when both teams, coaching staffs and the referees had to separate the two just to find some continuity to the game.

A double-technical was called on both he and Garnett was ejected from the game as a result of that said head-butt.

Harden was, of course, selected to shoot the technical to which he converted the attempt putting the Rockets up 18-14.

Jan 12, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Houston Rockets center

Dwight Howard

(12) reacts after being shoved by Brooklyn Nets forward

Kevin Garnett

(2) during the first quarter at the Barclays Center. Garnett was ejected from the game. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Howard seems to frustrate forwards left and right everywhere he goes!

Remember when Kevin Durant had a few choice words for Howard back in November?

It would’ve been nice if both were playing but they were on the bench in street clothes!

That’s some heavy indignation if you’re upset at someone and not even on the court.

But this is a beef that’s dates back to quite some time.

Anyway, after that was all over the Rockets took control of this game — Harden hit a three-pointer and a pair of free throws to put the Rockets up 23-14 with 7:07 left in the 1st.

The Nets did close the gap a bit with Jack floater to cut the Rockets lead to six with 58 seconds left but Harden charged back with a driving layup and free throw off a Brook Lopez foul putting Rockets back up by nine to end the 1st. Rockets 37, Nets 28

In the 2nd quarter, Howard pushed the Rockets to their largest lead of the game — 12 points — at that point with a beautiful alley-oop dunk assisted by Corey Brewer. Rockets 44, Nets 32

But Rockets got cold and the Nets used a 13-5 run led by Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Johnson and Mason Plumlee to cut their deficit to two with 2:35 left in the half. Rockets 52, Nets 50

Jan 12, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Houston Rockets guard

James Harden

(13) drives to the basket past Brooklyn Nets center

Mason Plumlee

(1) during the second quarter at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Harden, Trevor Ariza and Patrick Beverley worked together to put the Rockets back up by eight points to end the 1st half. Rockets 60, Nets 52

The Rockets then took total control at the start of the 3rd and they never trailed from that point thereafter.

The closest the Nets reached within the Rockets lead was 10 points after a Plumlee tip-in with 6:43 left in the 3rd.

The Rockets ended on top at the end of the third quarter 86-70.

It was more of the same for the 4th quarter as the Rockets lead was as high as 23 points after Jason Terry three with 6:40 left. Rockets 102, Nets 79

Plumlee continued to be a force to be reckoned with for the Rockets but he was nowhere near enough to keep the Nets in the game himself. He would ended up with 24 points on the night.

After Kevin McHale decided to empty his bench out with about 3:24 to go, the Rockets were on their way to coasting to nice win. Final Score: Rockets 113, Nets 99

Jan 12, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center

Brook Lopez

(11) fouls Houston Rockets forward

Josh Smith

(5) during the second quarter at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Harden led all scorers with 30 points, six dimes, two steals while shooting 9-for-13 from the field, 4-for-7 from behind-the-arc and a perfect 8-for-8 from the charity stripe. He only had two turnovers!

Harden currently leads the league netting his 16th game of the season where he has scored 30+ points.

Another MVP-type night for the Beard.

Donatas Motiejunas put up 18/11 in this game and Josh Smith had 13 points, six rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 27 minutes off the bench.

Nice job Smoove!

Wow — what a night with a few memorable highlights! The team also nailed 16 three-pointers off 40 attempts for 40 percent.