Both teams came into this game tonight with their last win coming against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Rockets just got the job done on Sunday, while the Knicks are on a two game skid since their last victory.

Much like the Rockets last week, the Knicks have lost their first two outings on a four game road trip. They’re trying to turn things around here in the third of four games away from home, while Houston is hoping to extend their winning streak as they return home.

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With all of the usuals available to play, Ime Udoka decided to go with his defensive oriented starting lineup, meaning Tari Eason got the nod over Reed Sheppard.

This proved to be a good decision tonight, as the Knicks started the game missing their first five shots. Durant went on a personal 10-0 run to make it a 14-1 start for Houston.

Şengün made his first three, staying hot from the other night in New Orleans. Tari Eason joined the party with a three and transition slam to extend the lead to 17, at 22-5.

The vibes were immaculate in the first quarter, as Tari Eason went on a personal 10-0 of his own. Highlight after highlight, the Knicks fought back, but Reed Sheppard’s spark off the bench helped finish 37-21.

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Defensive intensity and offensive rebounding helped the Knicks to 7-0 start in the second, forcing a quick timeout. New York ultimately pulled within four points before Tari Eason’s third triple (in as many attempts?) extended Houston’s lead back to double digits.

It turned into the Reed Sheppard show as he drained a pull up bomb in transition, poked the ball away to get a breakaway dunk, then hit a leaner from the elbow.

I don’t know what these guys ate for their pregame meals, but they need to make note of it. Multiple Houston players went on personal little hot streaks. No one even took a heat check type of shot either. It was all just naturally in the flow of the game, often with defense leading to offense.

In a highlight filled first half where the Rockets got two separate 19 point leads, a quick 6-0 run from the Knicks brought us into the second half with the scoreboard reading 50-63.

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This all felt great, but it was hard to not be thinking back to the last time these teams played this season. As we covered on Roundtable, that was a disappointing loss where Houston allowed a big comeback. They need to maintain focus in the next 24 to come away with a win tonight.