The Houston Rockets blew a 22-point lead late in the third quarter and an 8-point lead with under two minutes left in regulation before ultimately falling to host San Antonio in double overtime, 135-133 (box score).
The loss drops the Rockets to 13-7, while improving the Spurs to 8-14.
James Harden led the way with 50 points, but shot just 11-of-38 (28.9%) from the field. He got to 50 in large part by making all 24 of his free-throw attempts, which broke a prior record held by Atlanta’s Dominique Wilkins for made foul shots without a miss in a single game.
Russell Westbrook had a triple-double with 19 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds, but shot just 7-of-30 (23.3%) overall. Between the duo, Westbrook and Harden combined for just 18-of-68 shooting (26.4%).
Clint Capela had 20 points (9-of-9 shooting) and 21 rebounds, making it a historic eighth straight game for Houston’s starting center with 19 or more rebounds. That’s the longest such strea since 1983.
Second-year Spurs prospect Lonnie Walker IV, who entered Tuesday averaging just 2.5 points per game, led the way for the Spurs with a career-high 28 points in 35 minutes off the bench — including eight straight in the final two minutes of regulation to send the game to overtime. Overall, the Rockets allowed 34 points in the fourth quarter to let the Spurs back into the game after once having a commanding lead.
The game will also be remembered for a bizarre missed call in the fourth quarter, when Harden threw down a dunk in transition only to have it not counted. Those two points certainly ended up being significant, given that the teams finished tied after that period.
Houston head coach Mike D’Antoni told reporters postgame that he was not given a clear explanation by the NBA’s on-court officials on what the call was or why he was not allowed to challenge it.
The Rockets have a day off Wednesday to potentially recompose themselves before playing a tough road game Thursday at the defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors, who enter at 15-5.
