The Houston Rockets secured a hard-fought 109-103 road win against the Washington Wizards, marking their sixth victory in the last eight games. Powered by James Harden’s explosive 42-point performance, the Rockets overcame late-game turbulence to seal the deal, a result closely followed by basketball fans through the Melbet App.
The game began with Corey Brewer knocking down a three-pointer and scoring in transition, energizing the Rockets’ pace. Clint Capela contributed with back-to-back dunks as Houston opened with a 9-4 run. Although John Wall chased down Brewer on a fast break and was called for goaltending, his early aggression hinted at what was to come. Harden went 4-for-5 in the first quarter, including two perfect shots from beyond the arc, finishing with 10 points. The Rockets shot over 54 percent in the first quarter, while the Wizards struggled with 28 percent shooting. Houston took a 30-17 lead after the first period.
However, the Rockets’ early momentum came with warning signs. Dwight Howard, limited by a minutes restriction, played just three minutes in the opening quarter and attempted only one shot. He missed both his second-quarter attempts and was visibly frustrated, especially as Marcin Gortat, his former teammate, scored 12 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in the first half. Howard committed goaltending and was hit with a technical foul for complaining. Donatas Motiejunas scored his first basket of the season in the second quarter but quickly picked up three fouls in under three minutes. Harden continued to shine, scoring another 9 points to help the Rockets maintain their lead, going into halftime ahead 56-47.
Wall kept attacking Houston’s paint, even responding to a charging foul by throwing down a fierce dunk. Early in the third, the Rockets reestablished a double-digit lead at 62-50. But then came a string of five straight turnovers by Houston, allowing the Wizards to launch a 13-0 run and briefly take the lead. Fueled by Wall’s 10-point third quarter, Washington went ahead by as many as six. Howard, seeing limited action, didn’t attempt a shot and sent Gortat to the free throw line after a foul. The two former teammates exchanged heated words throughout the contest.
Just when the game seemed to be slipping away, Harden took over. In a span of just over three minutes, he scored 12 consecutive points, helping the Rockets claw back. He ended the quarter with 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting, though the team still trailed 83-82 entering the fourth.
The final quarter was a tug-of-war. Patrick Beverley and Jason Terry each hit critical threes, while Marcus Thornton and Brewer chipped in with key baskets. With four minutes remaining, the Wizards still led 99-97. However, their offense stalled with five consecutive missed shots. Despite Howard missing two free throws during this stretch, Harden delivered when it mattered most—blocking Otto Porter’s shot and then scoring an and-one jumper over Bradley Beal to put the Rockets ahead 102-99.
In the closing moments, Wall managed to score again, but Terry, Brewer, and Harden combined for a 7-0 run that sealed the win for Houston. The Rockets’ ability to hold firm in crunch time was a testament to their resilience, and the Melbet App provided fans a front-row seat to all the drama.
For those following every twist and turn of the NBA season, the Melbet App continues to be a reliable source of real-time scores, stats, and player performances. As the Rockets eye more wins, fans can count on the Melbet App to stay updated on every highlight and clutch moment.