Game ID: 22401193
Denver Nuggets @ Houston Rockets
Sunday, April 13, 2025 at 3:30 PM ET
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
HOU 23 29 19 40 111DEN 36 29 37 24 126
DEN @ HOU ScoutingDEN @ HOU Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
HOU availability going into 4/04 · 1 day's restOUT Dante missed 16 since 3/04, out tonight
BACK Whitmore back 3/30 after 7, 12 min since (81% of 15)
BACK Holiday back 3/25 after 2, 14 min since (113% of 13)
BACK Sheppard back 3/30 after 11, 10 min since (87% of 12)
BACK Landale back 3/27 after 4, 16 min since (140% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 3/30 after 4, 8 min since (71% of 12)
BACK Tate back 3/30 after 5, 12 min since (110% of 11)
HOU availability going into 4/06 · 1 day's restOUT Dante missed 17 since 3/04, out tonight
BACK Whitmore back 3/30 after 7, 9 min since (56% of 15)
BACK Sheppard back 3/30 after 11, 7 min since (60% of 12)
BACK Landale back 3/27 after 4, 16 min since (140% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 3/30 after 4, 8 min since (71% of 12)
BACK Tate back 3/30 after 5, 13 min since (117% of 11)
HOU availability going into 4/09 · 2 days' restOUT Dante missed 18 since 3/04, returns tonight: 14 min (107% of 13)
OUT Landale missed 2 since 4/04, returns tonight: 34 min (294% of 12)
OUT Jef. Green missed 2 since 4/04, returns tonight: 18 min (161% of 12)
BACK Whitmore back 3/30 after 7, 7 min since (44% of 15)
BACK Sheppard back 3/30 after 11, 6 min since (48% of 12)
BACK Tate back 3/30 after 5, 10 min since (90% of 11)
HOU availability going into 4/11 · 1 day's restBACK Dante back 4/09 after 18, 14 min since (107% of 13)
BACK Landale back 4/09 after 2, 34 min since (294% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 4/09 after 2, 18 min since (161% of 12)
HOU availability going into 4/13 · 1 day's restOUT VanVleet missed 2 since 4/09, returns tonight: 27 min (76% of 36)
OUT Thompson missed 2 since 4/09, returns tonight: 26 min (81% of 32)
OUT Sengun missed 2 since 4/09, returns tonight: 24 min (74% of 32)
OUT Brooks missed 2 since 4/09, returns tonight: 22 min (70% of 32)
OUT Smith Jr. missed 2 since 4/09, out tonight
OUT Adams missed 2 since 4/09, returns tonight: 17 min (116% of 15)
BACK Dante back 4/09 after 18, 14 min since (110% of 13)
BACK Landale back 4/09 after 2, 29 min since (252% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 4/09 after 2, 20 min since (176% of 12)
NEW Sheppard 12 to 18 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 4/20 · 6 days' restOUT Smith Jr. missed 3 since 4/09, returns tonight: 25 min (88% of 29)
OUT Tate missed 2 since 4/11, out tonight
BACK VanVleet back 4/13 after 2, 27 min since (76% of 36)
BACK Thompson back 4/13 after 2, 26 min since (81% of 32)
BACK Sengun back 4/13 after 2, 24 min since (74% of 32)
BACK Brooks back 4/13 after 2, 22 min since (70% of 32)
BACK Adams back 4/13 after 2, 17 min since (116% of 15)
BACK Dante back 4/09 after 18, 11 min since (84% of 13)
BACK Landale back 4/09 after 2, 23 min since (195% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 4/09 after 2, 17 min since (150% of 12)
NEW Sheppard 12 to 19 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 4/23 · 2 days' restOUT Tate missed 3 since 4/11, out tonight
BACK VanVleet back 4/13 after 2, 34 min since (95% of 36)
BACK Thompson back 4/13 after 2, 30 min since (92% of 32)
BACK Sengun back 4/13 after 2, 30 min since (93% of 32)
BACK Brooks back 4/13 after 2, 28 min since (89% of 32)
BACK Smith Jr. back 4/20 after 3, 25 min since (88% of 29)
BACK Adams back 4/13 after 2, 18 min since (124% of 15)
BACK Dante back 4/09 after 18, 11 min since (84% of 13)
BACK Landale back 4/09 after 2, 23 min since (195% of 12)
BACK Jef. Green back 4/09 after 2, 17 min since (150% of 12)
NEW Whitmore 15 to 22 min over the last 4
NEW Sheppard 12 to 24 min over the last 4
HOU availability going into 4/26 · 2 days' restOUT Landale missed 2 since 4/20, out tonight
OUT Tate missed 4 since 4/11, out tonight
BACK VanVleet back 4/13 after 2, 37 min since (103% of 36)
BACK Thompson back 4/13 after 2, 27 min since (85% of 32)
BACK Sengun back 4/13 after 2, 32 min since (101% of 32)
BACK Brooks back 4/13 after 2, 27 min since (85% of 32)
BACK Smith Jr. back 4/20 after 3, 25 min since (85% of 29)
BACK Adams back 4/13 after 2, 18 min since (120% of 15)
BACK Dante back 4/09 after 18, 11 min since (84% of 13)
BACK Jef. Green back 4/09 after 2, 13 min since (117% of 12)
NEW Whitmore 15 to 22 min over the last 4
NEW Sheppard 12 to 24 min over the last 4
HOU availability going into 4/28 · 1 day's restOUT Landale missed 3 since 4/20, out tonight
OUT Tate missed 5 since 4/11, out tonight
BACK VanVleet back 4/13 after 2, 38 min since (105% of 36)
BACK Thompson back 4/13 after 2, 30 min since (92% of 32)
BACK Sengun back 4/13 after 2, 32 min since (102% of 32)
BACK Brooks back 4/13 after 2, 27 min since (86% of 32)
BACK Smith Jr. back 4/20 after 3, 25 min since (86% of 29)
BACK Adams back 4/13 after 2, 18 min since (121% of 15)
NEW Sheppard 12 to 20 min over the last 3
DEN availability going into 4/04 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 3 since 3/28, out tonight
OUT Porter Jr. missed 2 since 4/01, returns tonight: 41 min (122% of 33)
OUT Strawther missed 16 since 3/05, returns tonight: 1 min (5% of 20)
BACK Jokić back 3/26 after 5, 41 min since (109% of 37)
BACK Šarić back 4/02 after 16, 8 min since (57% of 13)
NEW Watson 23 to 36 min over the last 4
NEW Pickett 13 to 23 min over the last 5
NEW Jordan 12 to 17 min over the last 5
NEW Nnaji 10 to 16 min over the last 4
DEN availability going into 4/06 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 4 since 3/28, out tonight
BACK Jokić back 3/26 after 5, 40 min since (107% of 37)
BACK Porter Jr. back 4/04 after 2, 41 min since (122% of 33)
BACK Strawther back 4/04 after 16, 1 min since (5% of 20)
BACK Šarić back 4/02 after 16, 8 min since (57% of 13)
NEW Watson 23 to 35 min over the last 4
NEW Pickett 13 to 25 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 4/09 · 2 days' restOUT Murray missed 5 since 3/28, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 2 since 4/04, out tonight
BACK Porter Jr. back 4/04 after 2, 40 min since (119% of 33)
BACK Strawther back 4/04 after 16, 6 min since (29% of 20)
NEW Watson 23 to 32 min over the last 4
NEW Pickett 13 to 27 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 4/11 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 6 since 3/28, returns tonight: 32 min (85% of 37)
OUT Šarić missed 3 since 4/04, out tonight
OUT Nnaji missed 2 since 4/06, out tonight
BACK Porter Jr. back 4/04 after 2, 38 min since (115% of 33)
BACK Strawther back 4/04 after 16, 8 min since (38% of 20)
NEW Braun 35 to 42 min over the last 4
NEW Gordon 30 to 37 min over the last 4
NEW Watson 23 to 31 min over the last 4
NEW Pickett 13 to 29 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 4/13 · 1 day's restOUT Šarić missed 4 since 4/04, out tonight
OUT Nnaji missed 3 since 4/06, returns tonight: 6 min (63% of 10)
BACK Murray back 4/11 after 6, 32 min since (85% of 37)
BACK Porter Jr. back 4/04 after 2, 36 min since (108% of 33)
BACK Strawther back 4/04 after 16, 8 min since (38% of 20)
NEW Gordon 30 to 36 min over the last 4
NEW Pickett 13 to 25 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 4/19 · 5 days' restOUT Šarić missed 5 since 4/04, out tonight
BACK Murray back 4/11 after 6, 28 min since (76% of 37)
BACK Porter Jr. back 4/04 after 2, 35 min since (104% of 33)
BACK Strawther back 4/04 after 16, 8 min since (41% of 20)
BACK Nnaji back 4/13 after 3, 6 min since (63% of 10)
NEW Pickett 13 to 22 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 4/21 · 1 day's restOUT Šarić missed 6 since 4/04, out tonight
BACK Murray back 4/11 after 6, 35 min since (94% of 37)
BACK Nnaji back 4/13 after 3, 6 min since (63% of 10)
NEW Gordon 30 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Pickett 13 to 18 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 4/24 · 2 days' restOUT Strawther missed 2 since 4/19, returns tonight: 11 min (55% of 20)
OUT Šarić missed 7 since 4/04, out tonight
OUT Nnaji missed 2 since 4/19, returns tonight: 5 min (45% of 10)
BACK Murray back 4/11 after 6, 37 min since (99% of 37)
NEW Gordon 30 to 37 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 4/26 · 1 day's restOUT Šarić missed 8 since 4/04, out tonight
BACK Murray back 4/11 after 6, 37 min since (99% of 37)
BACK Strawther back 4/24 after 2, 11 min since (55% of 20)
BACK Nnaji back 4/13 after 3, 6 min since (54% of 10)
NEW Gordon 30 to 37 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 117, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 17 free throws a game; Sengun at 22 and Green at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without VanVleet (2 straight), Thompson (2 straight), Sengun (2 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 116, shooting 49 percent and 31 from three, 24 free throws a game; Jokić at 30 and Braun at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the arc, Houston at 41 percent from three to Denver's 31 and the line, where Denver takes 24 free throws a game to Houston's 17. Call it Houston 118, Denver 114, Denver keeping it close.
4/04 vs OKC 125-111 — HOU notes
HOU won 125-111. HOU shot 49% (45 of 92) to OKC's 48%, 13 of 29 from three, and went to the line 26 times to OKC's 15 — 22 points from the stripe to their 12. The glass went 48-33 for them. Green led with 34 (11 of 24, 3 of 10 from three, 9 of 10 at the line); Sengun added 31, Thompson 16. The hinge was Q2, 34-25: a lead of 7 became 16, and the lead reached 23. Green was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
4/06 @ GSW 106-96 — HOU notes
HOU won 106-96. HOU shot 48% (45 of 93) to GSW's 42%, 10 of 30 from three. HOU turned it over 15 times to GSW's 20. Brooks led with 24 (10 of 13, 3 of 4 from three); Ja. Green added 21, Sengun 19. The hinge was Q2, 33-26: HOU came in trailing by 6 and left it ahead by 1, and the lead reached 16. Thompson was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
4/09 @ LAC 117-134 — HOU notes
HOU lost 117-134. HOU shot 51% (45 of 88) to LAC's 53%, 20 of 40 from three, and got to the line 10 times to LAC's 19. Sheppard led with 20 (7 of 14, 6 of 10 from three); Je. Green added 19, Eason 17. Q1 was theirs, 35-36, but the other 3 periods went 98-82 against them. Sheppard's -23 in 37 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/11 @ LAL 109-140 — HOU notes
HOU lost 109-140. HOU shot 46% (41 of 90) to LAL's 61%, 18 of 51 from three, and got to the line 12 times to LAL's 25. HOU turned it over 18 times to LAL's 12, and LAL turned those into 11 steals. Whitmore led with 34 (13 of 19, 7 of 12 from three); Sheppard added 14, Williams 12. Q3 was theirs, 31-29, the deficit cut from 22 to 20, but the other 3 periods went 111-78 against them. Sheppard's -27 in 41 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/13 vs DEN 111-126 — HOU notes
HOU lost 111-126. HOU took 12 more shots (100 to 88), fed by 16 offensive rebounds, but shot 45% to DEN's 51%, 12 of 34 from three, and got to the line 14 times to DEN's 31. VanVleet led with 15 (5 of 13, 3 of 8 from three); Thompson added 15, Sengun 14. Q4 was theirs, 40-24, the deficit cut from 31 to 15, but the other 3 periods went 102-71 against them. Adams's -23 in 17 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/20 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 121, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 16 free throws a game; Sengun at 21 and Thompson at 15 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Smith Jr. (3 straight). 6 days' rest. Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 105, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Curry at 22 and Butler III at 21 a game. 6 days' rest.
So: Golden State wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Golden State allowing 105 a night to Houston's 121 and the line, where Golden State takes 25 free throws a game to Houston's 16. Call it Golden State 113, Houston 112, Houston keeping it close.
4/23 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 118, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 14 free throws a game; Sengun at 20 and Whitmore at 14 a game. That is 4 straight losses. 2 days' rest. Golden State comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 101, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Curry at 27 and Butler III at 23 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Kuminga (2 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Golden State wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Golden State allowing 101 a night to Houston's 118 and the line, where Golden State takes 25 free throws a game to Houston's 14. Call it Golden State 112, Houston 109, Houston keeping it close.
4/26 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 104, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Curry at 26 and Butler III at 22 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. 2 days' rest. Houston comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 118, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 15 free throws a game; Sengun at 19 and Whitmore at 14 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-3 a night and Golden State minus-10 and the defense, Golden State allowing 104 a night to Houston's 118. Call it Golden State 112, Houston 108, Houston keeping it close.
4/28 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 99, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Curry at 27 and Butler III at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 12 a night. One day's rest. Houston comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 112, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 18 free throws a game; Sengun at 18 and Whitmore at 15 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-6 a night and Golden State minus-12 and the defense, Golden State allowing 99 a night to Houston's 112. Call it Golden State 111, Houston 104.
4/04 @ GSW 104-118 — DEN notes
DEN lost 104-118. DEN shot 54% (40 of 74) to GSW's 49%, 12 of 31 from three. DEN turned it over 25 times to GSW's 13, and GSW turned those into 14 steals. Jokić led with 33 (13 of 17, 4 of 7 from three); Porter Jr. added 23, Braun 16. Q1 was theirs, 44-34, but the other 3 periods went 84-60 against them. They led by as many as 12. Porter Jr.'s -13 in 41 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/06 vs IND 120-125 — DEN notes
DEN lost 120-125. DEN shot 54% (50 of 93) to IND's 48%, 8 of 31 from three. DEN turned it over 13 times to IND's 6, and IND turned those into 10 steals. Jokić led with 41 (18 of 33, 3 of 11 from three); Braun added 30, Westbrook 16. Q1 was theirs, 33-24, but the other 3 periods went 101-87 against them. They led by as many as 13. Westbrook's -14 in 24 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/09 @ SAC 124-116 — DEN notes
DEN won 124-116. DEN shot 50% (43 of 86) to SAC's 47%, 13 of 34 from three, and went to the line 31 times to SAC's 17 — 25 points from the stripe to their 14. Braun led with 25 (9 of 12, 3 of 5 from three); Gordon added 21, Porter Jr. 21. The hinge was Q1, 33-25: from level to 8 ahead, and the lead reached 16. Braun was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
4/11 vs MEM 117-109 — DEN notes
DEN won 117-109. DEN shot 48% (44 of 91) to MEM's 45%, 5 of 24 from three, and went to the line 31 times to MEM's 19 — 24 points from the stripe to their 13. The glass went 52-41 for them. Gordon led with 33 (13 of 23, 2 of 7 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Jokić added 26, Murray 15. The hinge was Q4, 25-14: DEN came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 8. DEN trailed 53-59 at the half and won the second half 64-50. Braun was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
4/13 @ HOU 126-111 — DEN notes
DEN won 126-111. DEN shot 51% (45 of 88) to HOU's 45%, 10 of 29 from three, and went to the line 31 times to HOU's 14 — 26 points from the stripe to their 9. Porter Jr. led with 19 (8 of 12, 3 of 6 from three); Jokić added 18, Gordon 18. The hinge was Q3, 37-19: a lead of 13 became 31, and the lead reached 36. Jokić was the night's best plus/minus at +34.
4/19 vs LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 116, shooting 51 percent and 32 from three, 25 free throws a game; Jokić at 28 and Braun at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. 5 days' rest. The Clippers come in 5-0 over their last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 111, shooting 54 percent and 45 from three, 18 free throws a game; Harden at 29 and Leonard at 28 a game. That is 5 straight wins. They have won the glass by 8 a night. Without Batum (2 straight). 5 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the arc, the Clippers at 45 percent from three to Denver's 32 and the line, where Denver takes 25 free throws a game to the Clippers' 18. Call it Denver 117, the Clippers 116, the Clippers keeping it close.
4/21 vs LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 114, shooting 49 percent and 31 from three, 28 free throws a game; Jokić at 27 and Gordon at 20 a game. That is 4 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 113, shooting 52 percent and 44 from three, 17 free throws a game; Harden at 30 and Leonard at 26 a game. They have won the glass by 7 a night. One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the arc, the Clippers at 44 percent from three to Denver's 31 and the line, where Denver takes 28 free throws a game to the Clippers' 17. Call it Denver 117, the Clippers 114, the Clippers keeping it close.
4/24 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 110, shooting 52 percent and 42 from three, 17 free throws a game; Harden at 29 and Leonard at 29 a game. Without Coffey (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 110, shooting 48 percent and 35 from three, 28 free throws a game; Jokić at 24 and Gordon at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Strawther (2 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the line, where Denver takes 28 free throws a game to the Clippers' 17 and the glass, where Denver has been plus-7 a night and the Clippers minus-0. Call it the Clippers 115, Denver 112, Denver keeping it close.
4/26 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 103, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 18 free throws a game; Leonard at 29 and Harden at 26 a game. Without Coffey (3 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 110, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 26 free throws a game; Jokić at 24 and Gordon at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest.
So: The Clippers win, and the game turns on the arc, the Clippers at 41 percent from three to Denver's 33 and the line, where Denver takes 26 free throws a game to the Clippers' 18. Call it the Clippers 114, Denver 109.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
DENAG A. Gordon
CB C. Braun
DJ D. Jordan
HT H. Tyson
JM J. Murray
JP J. Pickett
JS J. Strawther
JO Jokic
MP M. Porter Jr.
NJ N. Jokić
PW P. Watson
RW R. Westbrook
TA T. Alexander
ZN Z. Nnaji
HOUAH A. Holiday
AS A. Sengun
AT A. Thompson
CW C. Whitmore
DB D. Brooks
DR D. Roddy
FV F. VanVleet
JG J. Green
JL J. Landale
JG Ja. Green
ND N. Dante
NW N. Williams
RS R. Sheppard
SA S. Adams
TE T. Eason
DEN/HOU the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Nuggets secure No. 4 seed in Western Conference with 126-111 rout of Rockets
HOUSTON -- — Michael Porter Jr . scored 19 points, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic added 18 each and the Denver Nuggets clinched the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference with a 126-111 win over the Houston Rockets on Sunday.
The victory gives the Nuggets homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs and puts them in the postseason for a seventh straight season.
The Nuggets were up by 13 at halftime and used a 10-2 run, with five points from Gordon, to make it 86-63 with about five minutes left in the third quarter.
The Rockets, who had nothing to play for having long since clinched the No. 2 seed, pulled their starters after that big run.
The Nuggets had extended the lead to 111-78 with about nine minutes left when they cleared their bench.
Jokic, who had already guaranteed averaging a triple-double for the season in Friday’s win over Memphis, had seven rebounds and seven assists Sunday. He joins teammate Russell Westbrook and Hall of Famer Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson as the only players to accomplish the feat.
Westbrook added 17 off the bench for the Nuggets, who won their third straight game under interim coach David Adelman. He took over after coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth were fired Tuesday after they Nuggets lost their fourth straight game two days earlier.
Amen Thompson and Fred VanVleet led the Rockets with 15 points apiece as they finished the regular season with a 52-30 record, marking their first winning season since 2019-20 when they made their last playoff appearance.
Key moment The run in the third quarter that pushed the lead to 20.
Key stat Houston’s Jalen Green started his 82nd game of the season, marking the second straight season starting every game.
Up next Houston hosts the No. 7 seed in the first round of the playoffs, which begin April 19-20, and the Nuggets host the No. 5 seed Los Angeles Clippers.