Rockets overcome slow start to trounce Raptors
Xinhua, February 22, 2015 Adjust font size:
The Houston Rockets overcame a sluggish start to trounce the Toronto Raptors 98-76 Saturday night at Toyota Center, snapping the latter's four-game winning streak.
The Rockets got off to a slow start in the first quarter, falling behind at 13-5. But they bounced back soon enough with a 11-0 burst to overtake the lead and held it to 40-36 at the half time.
After a frustrating first half in which he only managed four points, James Harden had 16 in the third quarter to help the Rockets enlarge their lead to double digit.
They worked even harder in the final period to widen the gap to over 20 points. With little suspense, the game went into garbage time and the Rockets cruised to their victory.
Corey Brewer led the Rockets with a season-high 26 points and 10 rebounds off the bench and Harden added 20. James Johnson scored 27 points for the Raptors while Kyle Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas had 11 points apiece.
The loss ended a four-game winning streak of the Raptors. They have also dropped eight straight road contests against the Rockets. Endi