Houston Rockets Redux: Week 23: Getting In The Groove

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Mar 30, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) sits on the court after a collision against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Houston 99-96. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

“The Timeout That Wasn’t”

Raptors 99, Rockets 96: The Rockets had their work cut out for them this game and it remained close throughout. However, they did take a 11-point, 47-36 lead over the Raptors after Jason Terry nailed a three-pointer with 4:54 left in the 2nd quarter.

But the Raptors battled back and were able to take a 79-78 lead with 10:23 left in the 4th quarter after Patrick Patterson — a former Rocket — connected on two free throws.

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Each team jockeyed for position all the way down to wire where DeMar DeRozan scored four of his 42 points in the final 1:27 to which the Rockets could not come up with a basket to counter his play despite Harden making a drive late in the game. He came up with the loose ball after a DeRozan missed his 2nd free throw attempt, prompting Harden to call time out with most of the Raptors piled on top of him. Subsequently, a jump ball was called instead to which Terrence Ross gained possession of the basketball and the Raptors took over from there.

The opportunities were there but were missed and that put the Rockets on the short end of the stick. Harden had 31 points for the Rockets, while Ariza had 15/8 and five assists while Corey Brewer had 13/5 off the bench. DeRozan also had 11 rebounds to go with those 42 points of his.

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