Rockets end Nuggets' 6-game winning streak! Durant scores 31 points, Shepherd adds 28 points with 6 three-pointers, Adelman gets ejected

On December 21st Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued with the Rockets beating the Nuggets 115-101 away from home, ending Denver's 6-game winning streak and avenging two earlier defeats this season. Durant contributed 31 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, engaging in conflicts with Brown and Hardaway. Nuggets coach Adelman was ejected after vehemently criticizing the referees in the final quarter. The Rockets led by 8 at halftime and extended the lead to as much as 21 in the second half, ultimately securing the road victory. Shepherd shone off the bench with 28 points, 6 assists, and a career-tying 6 three-pointers. Jokic scored 25 points with 7 rebounds and 5 assists.

Statistics

Rockets: Durant 31 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 three-pointers; Shepherd 28 points, 6 assists, 6 three-pointers; S. Smith 22 points, 10 rebounds, 5 three-pointers; Amen 16 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists; Okogie 9 points; Sengun 8 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists; Adams 1 point, 12 rebounds

Nuggets: Jokic 25 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists; Murray 16 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists; Jones 9 points, 4 rebounds; Hardaway 8 points; Johnson 6 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists; Valanciunas 10 points; Brown 12 points, 12 rebounds; Pickett 10 points, 4 rebounds

Player of the Game

Durant, Shepherd, and S. Smith delivered outstanding performances leading the Rockets to victory over the Nuggets.

Game Recap

In the first quarter, Sengun and Amen scored inside, Durant and S. Smith hit consecutive three-pointers, and the Rockets started strong with a 10-2 run. Jones scored a layup, Hardaway and Johnson made back-to-back threes, quickly cutting the deficit for the Nuggets. Amen dunked, Jokic scored 4 straight points, Durant made all three free throws, and Jokic scored inside again as the Nuggets went on a 6-0 run to take the lead. Shepherd hit three straight threes to stabilize the Rockets. Jones and Murray also made threes, while the Rockets failed to score in the final two minutes. After one quarter, the Nuggets led 29-26.

In the second quarter, Brown scored on a layup, Durant nailed two consecutive threes, and Valanciunas responded with 6 points inside. Shepherd made a mid-range jumper, Okogie hit three straight threes, and the Rockets went on an 11-0 run to take an 8-point lead over the Nuggets. Jokic and Murray scored on free throws, Amen and Sengun delivered consecutive dunks. Durant made a mid-range shot, Jokic scored 4 points in a row, helping the Nuggets reduce the gap. At halftime, the Rockets led 53-45, with 45 points being the Nuggets' lowest half score this season. Two Rockets players scored double digits in the first half: Durant with 16 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and Shepherd with 11 points, 3 assists. Jokic was the only Nugget in double digits with 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.

After the break, S. Smith hit two consecutive three-pointers, while Jokic and Hardaway responded from outside. Sengun dunked, Jokic scored inside, Durant made a mid-range jumper, and Jokic was subbed out after his fourth foul. S. Smith hit another three, Johnson completed a 2+1 dunk. Durant scored on a mid-range shot, Pickett made a three-pointer, Brown and Valanciunas scored consecutively, narrowing the gap to 5 points. Durant and Brown exchanged words but were quickly separated. Sengun scored on a layup, Shepherd caught fire with 11 straight points, pushing the lead back to double digits. After three quarters, the Rockets led 82-66.

In the final quarter, Jokic scored on a layup, Durant hit a three-pointer. Durant and Hardaway had a minor altercation, each receiving a technical foul. Nuggets coach Adelman, unhappy with the referees’ calls, stormed onto the court to argue and was ejected. Shepherd scored on a layup, Murray completed a 2+1, Jokic picked up his fifth foul. Murray made a 3+1 play. Amen scored on a hook shot, Durant and S. Smith hit three-pointers as the Rockets went on an 8-1 run. Jokic scored on a floater, S. Smith received a technical foul then dunked, Amen followed with a dunk, extending the lead to 21 points. With 4:46 left, the Nuggets rested their starters, Brown scored consecutive 2+1 plays, the Rockets returned their starters, and Shepherd stole the ball for a dunk. Ultimately, the Rockets defeated the Nuggets.

Starting Lineups

Rockets: Amen, Okogie, S. Smith, Durant, Sengun

Nuggets: Murray, Hardaway, Jones, Johnson, Jokic