By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Ending a 15-game losing streak in the head-to-head series with the Golden State Warriors, the Houston Rockets entered the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Semifinals.
Listed as questionable to play due to left knee soreness, Alperen Sengun was cleared and posted a 26-point, 11-rebound double-double, powering his side to a 91-90 victory in Toyota Center on Wednesday.
Complementing his 17th double-double in the 2024-25 Regular Season, the 22-year-old Turkish center threw in five assists and three steals over 31 minutes.
“I’ve never seen my team this thirsty,” mentioned the veteran of 234 appearances in the NBA with the Rockets, “I’m proud of my team, everyone, we worked hard. We finished the game good.”
The Rockets initially mishandled a 14-point advantage. Reacting to a six-point deficit in crunch time, Sengun reduced the distance to one point with 27 seconds on the clock. Following a missed three-pointer by Stephen Curry, a controversial foul call led to Jalen Green sinking two free throws, including the go-ahead point, with 3.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Jabari Smith Jr. blocked Brandin Podziemski at the buzzer to seal the win.
“We gotta go for a title,” Sengun previewed the Cup Semifinals challenge, a meeting with the Oklahoma City Thunder in Las Vegas on Saturday, “Next game, we gotta fight again. We know OKC is a good team, we just gotta go over there and fight.”
Wednesday games
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 100-108
Houston Rockets – Golden State Warriors 91-90
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 21-4
2. Boston Celtics 19-5
3. Orlando Magic 17-10
4. New York Knicks 16-10
5. Miami Heat 12-10
6. Milwaukee Bucks 13-11
7. Atlanta Hawks 14-12
8. Brooklyn Nets 10-14
9. Indiana Pacers 10-15
10. Chicago Bulls 10-15
11. Detroit Pistons 10-15
12. Philadelphia 76ers 7-15
13. Charlotte Hornets 7-17
14. Toronto Raptors 7-18
15. Washington Wizards 3-19
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 19-5
2. Houston Rockets 17-8
3. Memphis Grizzlies 17-8
4. Dallas Mavericks 16-9
5. Golden State Warriors 14-10
6. Los Angeles Clippers 14-11
7. Denver Nuggets 12-10
8. Los Angeles Lakers 13-11
9. Minnesota Timberwolves 12-11
10. Phoenix Suns 12-11
11. San Antonio Spurs 12-12
12. Sacramento Kings 12-13
13. Portland Trail Blazers 8-16
14. Utah Jazz 5-18
15. New Orleans Pelicans 5-20
-The top six teams from each conference clinch a berth in the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh to tenth advance to the Play-Ins