Shen Jing explodes with 39 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 assists! Rockets secure their 3rd consecutive win over the Pacers, Durant sidelined as Siakam scores 27

On February 3rd Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued with the Rockets winning 118-114 against the Pacers away, earning their third consecutive victory. Durant was absent due to an ankle injury from stepping on a fan’s foot previously. Shen Jing erupted with 39 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 assists, shooting 13 of 25 and making 13 of 18 free throws, tying his season scoring record with 21 points in the first half. The Rockets led by 7 at halftime, the Pacers briefly took the lead in the third quarter, but the Rockets held firm in the final period to claim the win. Siakam contributed 27 points.

Statistics

Rockets: Shen Jing 39 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists; Smith Jr. 19 points, 4 rebounds; Amen 16 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists; Shepherd 11 points, 4 assists, 2 steals; Eason 9 points, 10 rebounds; Holiday 8 points; Tate 8 points; Fini-Smith 4 points, 3 rebounds; Capela 4 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists

Pacers: Siakam 27 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists; Mathurin 25 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists; Nesmith 17 points, 6 rebounds; Walker 12 points, 4 rebounds; Nembhard 7 points, 8 assists; Huff 6 points; Jackson 6 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists; McConnell 5 points

Player of the Game

With Durant out injured, Shen Jing’s hot streak led the Rockets to victory over the Pacers.

Game Recap

In the first quarter, Shen Jing scored with a hook shot, Shepherd stole the ball and dunked, giving the Rockets an early 4-0 lead. Huff, Nembhard, and Nesmith hit consecutive three-pointers. After a putback by Shen Jing, he completed a three-point play, scoring 9 straight points. Mathurin scored with a mid-range jumper, Eason made a three-pointer, and Nesmith, McConnell, and Walker scored consecutively, sparking an 8-0 run for the Pacers who took a 6-point lead. Fini-Smith threw down an alley-oop dunk, and Shepherd scored a mid-range shot. The quarter ended with the Pacers leading 28-24.

In the second quarter, Shen Jing scored on a hook shot, Holiday hit a three-pointer, and the Rockets took the lead. Siakam scored with a mid-range jumper, McConnell hit a three-pointer, Amen scored 4 points in a row, and Mathurin completed a three-point play, putting the Pacers ahead by 6 again. Eason responded with a three-point play, Shen Jing scored another hook shot, then a putback three-point play, surpassing 20 points personally. Walker nailed a three, Porter dunked, Nesmith converted a three-point play, Shen Jing assisted Tate’s dunk, and Amen scored on a putback, pushing the Rockets back ahead and widening the gap. Nesmith made a three-pointer but it was after the shot clock expired. The Rockets led 63-56 at halftime, with Shen Jing already at 21 points.

After the break, Huff hit a three-pointer, Smith Jr. scored a mid-range jumper, and Siakam made a putback. Shen Jing dunked and scored 6 points in a row, extending the Rockets’ lead to 12. Jackson finished a three-point play, Siakam scored a floater, Nesmith hit a three-pointer, and the Pacers went on a 9-0 run. Shen Jing and Amen made consecutive free throws, Nesmith scored with a mid-range shot, Siakam dunked, and the Pacers took the lead. Capela scored on a putback, Smith Jr. hit a mid-range jumper, and the Rockets responded with a 6-0 run to regain the lead. Siakam, Walker, and Mathurin scored in succession as the Pacers countered with their own 6-0 run. Amen scored on a putback, and the third quarter ended tied at 87-87.

In the final quarter, Mathurin’s aggressive defense on Shen Jing led to a shove between them, resulting in technical fouls for both. Mathurin scored a mid-range shot, Shen Jing drew fouls inside and made 5 consecutive free throws. Siakam hit a three-pointer, Eason completed a three-point play, and Amen scored on a layup. Smith Jr. scored 5 straight points, giving the Rockets an 8-point lead. Siakam scored a three-point play, Holiday made two free throws, and Mathurin scored 4 points in a row. Shen Jing made one of two free throws, Siakam scored a putback, keeping the Pacers within 2 points. Amen scored a three-point play layup, Mathurin made two free throws, Tate scored on a putback, and Mathurin scored again on a fast break. Shen Jing missed two free throws but grabbed the offensive rebound, forcing the Pacers to foul again. Amen made one of two free throws, and in the end, the Rockets narrowly defeated the Pacers.

Starting Lineups

Rockets: Amen, Shepherd, Eason, Smith Jr., Shen Jing

Pacers: Nembhard, Nesmith, Fu Fei, Siakam, Huff