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The Rockets suffered their worst loss of the season on Monday night as they lost to the 76ers by a score of 121-93.
The Rockets looked to keep it together for the first quarter, surrendering just a four point lead. However, the second quarter saw the Sixers pull ahead for good.
In the third quarter, the Rockets managed just 13 points and allowed the already large deficit to get out of hand.
James Harden made history by scoring 30+ points in his 20th consecutive game, something nobody has done other than former Sixer Wilt Chamberlain. Harden ended the game with 37 points on 12-26 shooting, but the rest of the team looked a step slower.
Outside of Harden, the team shot 19-60, good for 31.6 percent.
Philadelphia was able to respond to Harden’s offensive mastery with some strong play of their own. Joel Embiid’s 32 points and 14 rebounds pushed Philly to victory.
Backup guards Landry Shamet and T.J. McConnell scored double digits off the bench for Philadelphia, scoring 18 and 12 points respectively.
McConnell was a part of a defensive committee that forced Harden and the rest of the Rockets into fits all night long. The team’s defensive intensity far outmatched Houston’s, the crowd got behind it, and the team was well on its way to an easy victory.
This was all without Jimmy Butler, who missed tonight’s game with an injury. Former Rocket and current 10-day contract recipient Corey Brewer drew the start and scored 11 points in 33 minutes.
Houston got the chance to see its newest acquisition Kenneth Faried take the floor tonight. Faried played well in his debut, dropping 13 points and grabbing six boards.
Tonight, the Rockets simply could not gain any momentum. The 76ers exposed their weaknesses and ran with it. It was a game that looked out of reach the entire game. Hopefully the next game won’t see the same results.
The Rockets face the Knicks at MSG on Wednesday night. Tipoff is at 6:30 p.m. CT.