NBA Global Games - Rockets beat Pacers in first NBA game in the Philippines
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 11 Oct 2013
PHOTOS BY MIKE DE VERA
Houston Rockets won the first ever NBA preseason game in the Philippines by beating the Indiana Pacers 116-96 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Thursday.
James Harden led the Rockets' assault with 21 points in a preseason encounter which was a part of the 2013 NBA Global Games.
Harden showed why he emerged as the main man of the Rockets as he also added 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and sank two triples aside from providing inspiration to his teammates and getting the adulation of the Filipino fans.
Omri Casspi 17 points and 10 rebounds as he came off the Houston bench. His chemistry with Lithuanian Donatas Motiejunas, who scored 16 points, jived offensively well especially during the remaining minutes of the game.
Crowd darling Jeremy Lin contributed 14 points as he too came off the bench and was greeted by a thunderous applause when he was relieved more than three minutes into the end of the game.
Chandler Parsons chipped in 15 points while newly-acquired center Dwight Howard, NBA Defensive Player Awardee for three years, added nine points and three rebounds. Howard had gone to foul trouble early but did a good job in containing Pacers big guy Roy Hibbert who succumbed also to foul problem.
Paul George paced the Pacers' attack with 17 points while David West followed the Indiana scoring parade with 14 points.
The Rockets launched their offensive with a 10-0 blitz at the start of the first period and never looked back. At the halftime Rockets were still in the driver's seat, 61-55.
Houston coached by Kevin McHale led 84-75 heading towards the fourth quarter. They coasted along to victory by widening their margin while scoring 32 points in the last period.
Close to 13,000 fans watched the historic NBA preseason game which showed our passion and love for basketball. Both teams will fly for Taipei for another game.
Outgoing NBA Commissioner David Stern was all praises for the Filipinos being "wonderful rabid fans" of the NBA.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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