When the Houston Rockets took a commanding 77-50 lead into halftime against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night, it might have seemed like a done deal. But if you've followed Rockets basketball this season, you know it's never quite that simple. Just as some fans were contemplating switching to their favorite Netflix show, the Kings came out swinging in the second half with a 13-2 run, prompting Ime Udoka to call an early timeout.
Udoka, familiar with the Rockets' penchant for dramatic shifts, made strategic adjustments to keep the offense from stalling. Alperen Sengun's impressive 26-point triple-double led the charge, with Kevin Durant adding 21 points on a sharp 62 percent shooting.
Reed Sheppard also lit up the scoreboard with 28 points, hitting 43 percent from beyond the arc. Josh Okogie chipped in with an efficient 5-of-7 shooting night, including three from downtown.
With Amen Thompson sidelined due to a quad injury, Aaron Holiday stepped up, not only shooting well but also providing another reliable ball-handling option to maintain fluid ball movement. Jabari Smith contributed 12 points on 6-of-12 shooting, and "Uncle Jeff" Green added 5 points, rounding out a true team effort against a struggling Kings squad. Given the Rockets' past difficulties in similar matchups, especially against teams like the Kings, this victory is a positive sign that they might be turning a corner.
For the Rockets to reach their potential, games like this need to become routine wins. The fact that the main rotation could rest during the fourth quarter is a bonus, especially with a back-to-back game on the horizon in Orlando.
Securing a home win was crucial, considering the Rockets had dropped four of their last seven at home. Ultimately, a win is a win, and for Rockets fans, it's a reason to feel optimistic as the team looks to build momentum.