Reed Sheppard shines with 28 points, leads Rockets to vital victory over Nuggets
Reed Sheppard’s transformation from a rookie role player to a key asset for the Houston Rockets has been nothing short of remarkable. Standing at 6-foot-2, Sheppard has evolved from a marginal contributor on a playoff team to a vital part of a title-contending roster. This season, he’s making his mark by averaging 13.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, all while showcasing impressive shooting splits of 46% from the field, 44% from three, and 71% from the free-throw line. His three-point shooting percentage ranks him 18th in the league, with only Jamal Murray and AJ Green ahead of him in terms of attempts.
A standout performance against the Nuggets
In a crucial matchup against the Denver Nuggets, Sheppard delivered a standout performance, scoring 28 points to help lead the Rockets to a 115-101 victory. This win was particularly significant for Houston, who had dropped two consecutive games prior to this road contest and were looking to turn the tide against an opponent that had previously defeated them twice this season. Sheppard’s contribution was pivotal, as he finished second in scoring behind Kevin Durant, who tallied 31 points.
After the game, Sheppard reflected on the team’s collective effort, especially after a disappointing loss to the New Orleans Pelicans in their last outing. “It was an all-effort game,” he said. “Losing two in a row, coming back here, we didn’t want to lose and drop another one. The effort and energy was great from the beginning. We were physical, we played together, made the right play, made the easy play, and we made shots.”
Shooting proficiency and defensive resilience
The Rockets’ offense was firing on all cylinders, shooting 51% from the field and an impressive 54% from three-point range on 35 attempts. This marks a continuation of their strong performance in the fourth quarter, where they rank second in the league with an average of 30.8 points per game, adding 33 in the final period against the Nuggets. However, it was Houston’s defensive tenacity that truly set the tone; they limited Denver to just 37 points across the second and third quarters, showcasing their ability to maintain composure in one of the toughest arenas in the league.
A meaningful victory
This victory held special significance for Sheppard and the Rockets, as it came against a formidable opponent that had previously bested them in tightly contested games, including a pair of three-point victories—one of which went into overtime. Sheppard acknowledged the competitive nature of the matchups, saying, “It’s definitely two playoff teams that, every time we play, it’s a really fun game, a really great atmosphere. The games always go down to the wire. They got a great team, great players, so it’s always a fun game. Nobody likes to lose at all, especially two in a row, let alone three in a row. We were going to come in and do everything we can not to lose this one. So it was a big win for us.”
With this victory under their belts, the Rockets will continue their road trip, facing the Sacramento Kings in a Sunday night matchup. As December progresses, the Rockets sit at a balanced 4-4 record for the month, looking to solidify their standing with back-to-back wins on the road.
