Healthy Houston Rockets Appear Ready to Roll and Other Saturday NBA Takeaways

Though power forward Terrence Jones remains sidelined by nerve problems, the Houston Rockets were as healthy as they've been in a while on Saturday night. Dwight Howard led them to a 108-96 victory over the Denver Nuggets with 26 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks in just 30 minutes—a huge line in the eight-time All-Star's return from a right knee strain that had sidelined him for 11 games.

The Rockets went 8-3 during that stretch, but there's little doubt they're a much better team when Howard's available and playing this kind of basketball.

"I feel pretty good," Howard said after the game via NBA TV's coverage. "You know I'm still just trying to get my timing back and everything. It was a little rusty, but I'm just happy we got the win and just happy to be playing at home in front of our fans."

That hope turned out to be well-founded. Aside from a characteristically poor 8-of-17 night from the free-throw line, Howard was in top form and converted on nine of his 11 field-goal attempts.His numbers were only part of the story. As the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen noted after the game, Howard "had the Nuggets shying away from the lane much of the game when he was on the floor and kept the Denver big men in near constant foul trouble."

It's the kind of all-around impact you might expect from a three-time Defensive Player of the Year.

"I'm just thankful to be back out there," Howard told reporters before the game. "Nobody wants to sit on the bench in a suit and watch his team play. You want to get out there in the action.

"But I'm happy to be back out there, thankful. I thank God for just allowing me to be able to play again. I'm just happy to play again. That's the big thing."

And while it wasn't as big of a thing, it's worth noting the 29-year-old passed a milestone while attacking the glass this evening.

Howard becomes the third-youngest player to reach 10,000 rebounds behind Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell (h/t NBA TV).

Suffice it to say, Houston isn't the same team with 23-year-old Tarik Black manning the middle. The Rockets' somewhat surprising depth deserves its share of credit for the club's 18-5 start, but sustaining that success throughout the season will be significantly easier without injuries getting in the way.

Starting point guard Patrick Beverley played his fourth consecutive game, a good sign after missing 12 games on account of a hamstring injury he suffered against the Utah Jazz on Oct. 29. He noted some buzz around the club's improving fortunes.


Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2299218-healthy-houston-rockets-appear-ready-to-roll-and-other-saturday-nba-takeaways