The Nuggets pulled away from Houston in Monday’s second half, leading to a 129-113 Denver victory (box score), but it was a valuable learning experience for second-year Rockets center Alperen Sengun versus back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
Sengun had a team-high 18 points (50% FG) and 7 rebounds in 23 minutes, with most of Houston’s regulars not returning to the game in the fourth quarter due to a lopsided score. On the other side, Jokic showed his MVP chops with 32 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists in just 27 minutes, shooting 11-of-17 (64.7%) from the field.
“I was excited to play against him,” Sengun said postgame of the matchup with Jokic. “I’m learning. He’s a good post-up player, and I’m learning how I can guard when they’re playing post-up.”
Backcourt star Jamal Murray added 31 points for the Nuggets (13-7) on an 11-of-17 shooting line identical to Jokic’s.
Jalen Green had 17 points and 7 assists for the Rockets but struggled to shoot, making just 5-of-15 from the field (33.3%) and 1-of-7 on 3-pointers (14.3%). Rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr. had 9 points and 3 rebounds on 3-of-4 shooting (75.0%), though he played only 17 minutes. For the Rockets, it was the third game in four nights and one at high altitude, which likely contributed to the decision by head coach Stephen Silas to limit minutes for many regulars.
Scroll on for highlights, analysis and postgame interviews. Houston (5-15) plays game two of its four-part road trip with another matchup at Denver on Wednesday, with tipoff again at 8 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
Rockets had 19 assists, seven assists in the third half. They had two assists, seven turnovers in the third quarter. https://t.co/GXzmWS9S2I
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 29, 2022
Rockets are going to have to play through adversity. Jokic is going to get touch fouls…He is an MVP…Get the ball out of his hands and make others beat you…Murray is balling, but no one else on their team is…#Sarge
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) November 29, 2022
Normally, I would be bothered by not playing Green/Sengun/KPJ in the fourth quarter (regardless of score, it's a rebuilding year), but keep in mind this is a third game in four nights and at high altitude. Tanks may be on empty.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) November 29, 2022
It’s pretty simple why they loss tonight.
First half 19 assists only 7 turnovers. Second half 6 assists 10 turnovers
Oh also they have a 2time MVP on their team pic.twitter.com/qhL16lH77c— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 29, 2022
Nuggets 129, Rockets 113. Rockets, within one with 7:45 left in the third, were blown out in the next 12 minutes. Jokic, with 16 of his 32 in the third, took over. Rockets 12 of 27 on 3s in the first half; 4 of 17 in the second. Still, they lost on the other end.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 29, 2022
Sengun has been really good.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) November 29, 2022
Sengun still looks a lot more like a piece of the offense and not the hub. Not sure if that'd design, guard decision making or what.
He still seems a lot more Sabonis than Joker to me, but that's still pretty good!
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) November 29, 2022
Green and Sengun have had better games taking care of the ball. They finished with 9 turnovers combined https://t.co/n9OHf581c3
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 29, 2022
Looks like that’s it for Sengun. Went toe to toe with Jokic and kept the Rockets in it during his time. +2 in a blowout. He probably goes for 25 if not for that horrendous fourth foul.
— TweenTweenHesiNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) November 29, 2022
Silas to @SportsVanessa on Sengun:
"He did a good job. He fought hard. On the offensive end, he did a lot of good things. On the defensive end, it's just a hard cover. Jokic is crafty. Alpi tried his hardest and did a good job, but that's an MVP performance we saw tonight."
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) November 29, 2022
#Rockets ALPEREN SENGUN !!!!@alperennsengun vs DEN
🏀18 PTS
🏀 7-14 FG
🏀 4-5 FT
🏀 7 REB
🏀 3 AST@HoustonRockets on AT&T SportsNet pic.twitter.com/32qX8dhV67— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) November 29, 2022
#Rockets trailed Denver by just 2 at the half but fall to the Nuggets 129-113
Stephen Silas and Kevin Porter Jr talked about what went wrong in the 2nd half@HoustonRockets will get another chance at Denver when they face them again on Wednesday
Our coverage will begin at 7PM pic.twitter.com/mXMhkiAbus
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) November 29, 2022
Alperen Sengun and KPJ talk AL-P going against his idol Nikola Jokic #Rockets will face the 2X MVP again on Wednesday@HoustonRockets on AT&T SportsNet pic.twitter.com/vT5oCjQ4aT
— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) November 29, 2022
