The Houston Rockets were able to fend off a formidable challenge against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday in the Toyota Center, with the home team coming away with a hard-fought victory, 115-109.
Following the win, Rockets superstar James Harden shared his thoughts on his team’s 15th victory of the new campaign. According to the former Most Valuable Player winner, Houston’s depth played a big role in tonight’s win, as it has for the first weeks of the season.
“That’s how deep we are,” Harden said, via ESPN. “We have a really good team and guys that can make plays and knock down shots.”
There’s little doubt who Harden was specifically referring to with his comments, as 6-foot-3 shooting guard Ben McLemore torched the Suns for 27 points and five 3-pointers off the Rockets bench. The 26-year-old is in the midst of a hot streak following a 28-point outburst on Thursday against the Toronto Raptors.
McLemore has been filling in for the injured Danuel House, who himself has been tremendous for the Rockets this season. Veteran two-guard Eric Gordon is still on the shelf after undergoing surgery on his injured knee, so as Harden said above, it’s great how other guys have been filling in admirably in Gordon’s stead.
Harden went on to give emphasis on his team’s defense — something that he believes has also been instrumental in Houston’s strong start.
“More importantly we were focused on our defense,” he said.
The Rockets’ much-improved defense this term has definitely been noticeable. It could certainly be that this is the factor that possibly gets them over the hump, as the team looks to challenge for the title yet again this year.
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