Wood, Rockets rally against Spurs in first game of post-Harden Era

Photo courtesy of Ronald Cortes/Getty Images

No one would have blamed the Rockets for lying down and taking one on the chin tonight. Coming a day after the franchise-altering trade of now former Rocket James Harden, and without two key playmakers in John Wall and Eric Gordon, taking a game against a tough San Antonio Spurs team on the road would have been a lot to ask for a roster undergoing a huge amount of turnover.

Instead, the Rockets, led by new franchise cornerstone Christian Wood, dug deep for a gutsy comeback win against their in-state rivals by a score of 109-105 on Thursday night, officially beginning the newest era of Houston Rockets basketball.

For the first time all season, Christian Wood was the number one guy for the team, and did he ever take advantage of the opportunity. Wood absolutely dominated the Spurs inside the paint and out, going for 27 points and 15 rebounds for the evening, while also making five of his seven shots from deep.

While his production was expected, it was the other members of Houston's nine-man rotation that contributed in a big way despite the lack of star power. Sterling Brown, drawing his first start at guard, went off for 23 points of his own along with seven rebounds in the victory.

Also added to the list of breakout Rockets performers was rookie Jae'Sean Tate, who gave the team some needed hustle and energy in multiple key spots throughout the game.

It wasn't only the young, unheralded players that were playing their absolute best, but it was the older guys that were encouraging them and guiding them the whole way. "The 9 guys who were in their uniform playing were engaged in the game, but the other guys, especially John [Wall], were up and talking to the team," Coach Stephen Silas said after the game.

"It really made it feel like a special team win."

It certainly was an engaged performance throughout for the Rockets, who came out with something to prove. Despite being close to last in the league in rebounds, Houston out-rebounded the Spurs by six heading into halftime, and by eight by the game's end.

Despite the effort, Houston actually found themselves trailing 90-99 with just over four and a half minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Just when it looked like the team's lack of experience and firepower would finally catch up to them, the squad rallied to an 11-2 run to tie the game late, punctuated by a clutch Christian Wood three.

In the end, it wasn't well-timed offense that won them the game--although it did play a part--rather, it was clutch defense that earned Houston the win late in the contest, specifically by the crafty veteran P.J. Tucker, who locked up a last-possession shot by DeMar DeRozan that could have tied the game.

Coach Silas didn't bother understating the importance of Thursday's win. "It felt great. Not only were all those [distractions] going on, but we were on a two-game losing streak. It feels really good."

"We had a team meeting after that last game against the Lakers and we drew the line there," Jae'Sean Tate added. "Everybody has so much to prove."

There seems like there's something to prove for everyone on the team. John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins will try to prove that they are every bit as capable of dominating the league despite their respective injury histories. They'll be joined later by newest Rocket Victor Oladipo, who himself is coming off a grisly injury. Christian Wood is looking to prove that he can be the guy for Houston, while young guns like the aforementioned Tate and Brown are looking to show that they can shine if given the opportunity.

A team once known for its flashy and numerical approach to basketball seems destined to transition into a gritty, hard-nosed team filled with underdogs. It remains to be seen if that will translate to success this season, but the much-too-early verdict seems to be that this team will give it their absolute all night in and night out.

Houston snaps a two-game losing streak and improves to 4-6, and will try to sweep the brief two-game set with San Antonio with the latter game scheduled for Saturday. The status of Wall, Gordon, and the pending addition of Victor Oladipo might be clearer before that game's 4 PM tip-off, but as this team just showed, they're capable of winning even without stars.