Live Blog: Rockets @ Thunder

In honor of Mike Harris and Jermaine Taylor going back to the Rockets today, and considering the likelihood that they'll both play big minutes since the Rockets only have 10 healthy players right now, I've decided to watch the game and blog my thoughts throughout.

7:09 p.m. – Just about to start - Is Kevin Durant tying his shoe on the scorer's table really a pre-game ritual worthy of the league's leading scorer? I mean, c'mon, toss some resin in the air or something! Well, I guess when you're #1 you can do whatever you want.

7:11 – Former-Viper Aaron Brooks opening the game with a three-point miss. Not bad shot selection simply because Brooks is having an incredible season and hitting threes left and right, but what does it say about the Rockets right now that they can't try to establish an inside game first? Not as much as you think. Actually, it says more about the height of Oklahoma City. I think it was Matt Bullard who just pointed out that everyone on the court for OKC is taller than Houston starting center Chuck Hayes. So the Rockets need to establish the outside game early to force the Thunder to go small and commit more to the perimeter, allowing the Rockets post players to have a chance inside.

7:15 – Anyone else remember when teams were wary of Durant because he reportedly couldn't lift and was lacking upper body strength? Um... yeah, about that...

7:21 – Rockets used the three ball to erase OKC's early 10-2 lead and now Scola just had an open look inside. Just like I was saying before...

7:23 – If the Rockets defense doesn't improve (OKC is 11-for-13), this is going to be a very high scoring game. 23-17 Thunder in the middle of the first.

7:25 – It might help if Mr. Defense himself, Shane Battier, wasn't hurt, but you can't worry about the guys you don't have, only those who are dressed and able to play.

7:29 – Kyle Lowry in the game, good to see him playing hurt.

7:30 – Bill Worrell just mentioned that the Thunder are shooting 80% in the first quarter and might set a record for a Rockets opponent in a single quarter.

7:33 – The Thunder hit 17-of-21 shots (81%) in the first quarter. 39-25 OKC.

7:36 – MIKE HARRIS IS IN THE GAME!!!

7:38 – "Rick Adelman has to call Daryl Morey every night to find out who's coming up from Rio Grande." – Bill Worrell on the Rockets roster flux. The Thunder have used the same starters 50-straight games.

7:40 – They're talking about Harris. Apparently he's on his third number of the season. 17, 19 and 33 (first Rockets stint, Washington Wizards stint, Vipers and current Rockets stint). Good to see him wearing his number now.

7:42 – Harris rebound followed by a Brooks three-pointer. B-E-A-UUUUU-TI-FUL

7:48 – Rockets are 4-for-6 from behind the arc, but OKC is 25-for-30 from the field, so the Rockets are going to need keep hitting everything from downtown to have a chance to comeback. 61-41 Thunder, 6:53 to go in the second.

7:50 – Harris just had to try to stop Durant in Houston's zone. Foul.

7:57 – Harris with the bucket!

8:03 – Brooks just hit a three-pointer with about a minute left before halftime forcing an OKC timeout. Don't look now but the Rockets are only down 13 (70-57). 7-for-11 from behind the arc. The Thunder are only shooting a little over 70% now, so they appear to be starting to cool off somewhat.

8:05 – Thunder get back-to-back baskets to go up 74-57 at halftime. That's a lot of points.

8:07 – Brooks has 8 points, 5 assists and 2 rebounds. He's 2-for-6 from the field, 2-for-3 from deep and 2-for-3 from the line. Harris has 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal while playing the entire second quarter. He's 1-for-2 from the field. Taylor hasn't played yet.

8:25 – I am really liking Kevin Martin's game tonight. He's playing so well, despite the left shoulder injury. Jack Falla's #1 rule in life - "You gotta play hurt."

8:29 – I wonder how many people are laughing at the fact that Matt Bullard didn't recognize #12 as Kevin Martin on that technical foul right away. I'm certainly not. I can't always translate numbers into names very fast either. For the opposing team I can, not for the team I work for. Why? I know who our guys are, I don't need to know their numbers. The only way to know who the opposing players are the first time I see them? By number. Think about it.

8:39 – Brooks just rushed a three to try to respond to a Durant three. I think the Rockets are starting to press down by 21 late in the third.

8:44 – Harris is back in the game.

8:50 – Start of the fourth quarter... Jermaine Taylor is in the game for the first time. Harris is still in.

8:51 – Great shot of Harris smiling. He's ALWAYS smiling. I think that's why everyone likes him.

8:53 – Nice pick and roll by Harris and Kyle Lowry to get the Rockets back within 21.

8:54 – Taylor just misfired on a long three... Went wide left.

8:55 – Taylor just committed a turnover. Spun into a double-team. Bullard suggesting Taylor has too much adrenaline. Said Taylor should've shot it. Probably right, had room for a baseline jumper. Probably could've passed too. It's always interesting to see a player excel in the minors and then struggle is his first few minutes back in the bigs. A lot of people think if you play well in one place it should translate. From time to time I'm one of them. It's not physical, folks. It's mental.

8:58 – I'm going to go send a fruit basket to Worrell and Bullard. They're talking about the Vipers, how they're in first place and the record number of GATORADE Call-Ups. They briefly forgot Coach Finch's name, which forced me to reconsider the fruit basket, but they quickly remembered and talked about how he's the head coach of the British National Team too. They can have the basket, but I'm going to ask them to share it with Rockets Media Relations Director Nelson Luis, who is likely sitting next to them.

9:02 – Taylor tried a dunk, got blocked, but Scola was there to clean it up.

9:08 – Harris at the line, too strong on the first free throw, second one rolled in. Now has three points. Has only hit 1-of-5 shots.

9:09 – Harris just hit his trademark jumper from just beyond the free throw line.

9:10 – Serge Ibaka just accidentally elbowed Taylor in the nose. Man, Ibaka is a beast. That had to hurt. Thankfully, Taylor able to remain in the game... the Rockets can't afford another injury.

9:12 – Bullard pointing out the clear chemistry between Harris and Taylor thanks to their time together with the Vipers. Taylor jumped into the lane and fed Harris underneath for a layup. Worrell just termed it "the Vipers connection." Did I say fruit basket? I meant steak dinner.

9:14 – Looks like the Oklahoma City crowd visible from the center court camera has decided to beat the traffic. Corners are still full, though. I could never imagine leaving a sporting event early. Traffic is part of the allure! Time to listen to the post-game show on the radio, chat with your family and friends about the game... It's worth it. What's the rush to get home?

9:15 – Taylor just hit a pair from the line. Looks like he's starting to settle in.

9:16 – Taylor just drove to the bucket for a layup and got fouled in mid-air.

9:17 – Taylor just hit two more from the line.

9:19 – Driving layup for Taylor after a Harris rebound.

9:20 – Rockets fall 122-104. First time the Thunder beat the Rockets in a long-time. Rockets had won 13-straight against OKC.

Here's how the Vipers alumni finished:

Brooks – 11 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists,  2 steals... 3-12 FG, 3-7 3 PT, 2-3 FT... 31:51
Harris – 7 points, 8 rebounds (4 offensive), 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block... 3-9 FG, 1-2 FT... 26:12
Taylor – 7 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block... 1-5 FG, 0-1 3 PT, 5-6 FT... 12:00