Kevin Durant Passes Dirk Nowitzski And Other Takeaways From The Rockets' Win

The Rockets took connected nan New Orleans Pelicans Sunday night, needing a tune-up crippled earlier a reliable upcoming stretch. Ultimately, they sewage conscionable that, winning 119-110 successful an all-around effort successful Toyota Center.

Kevin Durant earned an all-time accolade, and different Rockets sewage backmost connected way pinch a second-straight win. It was particularly needed, fixed nan team's caller agelong of 4 losses successful 5 tries.

Here were 3 takeaways from nan game:

Kevin Durant passes Dirk Nowitzki connected all-time scoring list

Durant began nan nighttime down Mavericks’ fable Dirk Nowitzski connected nan all-time scoring list, but was capable to adhd capable scoring juice to ascend nan ranks.

With conscionable 15 seconds near successful nan game, Durant would deed nan go-ahead free propulsion to nab his 17th point, moving to sixth all-time. He now trails only LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, evidently each hoops royalty. His Nowitzski-tying bucket would beryllium a poetic, patented jumper.

Durant forced respective shots down nan stretch, but was yet capable to drawback nan accolade, finishing pinch 18 points, 8 assists, six rebounds and steal.

“It intends a lot,” Durant said. “Dirk is personification I look up to, I’m grateful to beryllium among nan greats. We gotta support it going though.”

Jabari Smith Jr. shines connected bobblehead night

Fourth-year guardant Jabari Smith Jr. was nan prima of nan night, going for a game-high 32 points connected complete 50% shooting. Smith had been amid a scoring slump, but collapsed nan acold agelong against New Orleans.

He deed a blistering 7 triples connected 13 attempts, sticking to his do-it-all ways successful adding 8 rebounds and 1 block.

He played a afloat 41 minutes, and nan Rockets will surely request his assurance to enactment up arsenic they participate a tougher agelong against San Antonio, Philadelphia and Detroit.

Rockets’ rebounding continues to beryllium root of strength

Houston is nan champion rebounding squad successful nan league, and that shone brightly against New Orleans.

The Rockets out-rebounded nan Pelicans, 47-39, grabbing a needed 17 violative rebounds. Steven Adams, of course, led nan measurement pinch 10, followed by Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun pinch 8 apiece, and Durant pinch six.

The Rockets adjacent return connected an inter-state rival successful nan San Antonio Spurs, who will beryllium led by 7-foot-4 phenom. They 2 will look disconnected 7 p.m. CT Tuesday successful 1 of nan much anticipated Rockets' games successful immoderate time.