The Oklahoma City Thunder faced off against the Houston Rockets in a tightly contested game, ultimately falling 97-104. With Russell Westbrook sidelined due to injury, all eyes turned to Carmelo Anthony and Paul George — and the duo didn’t disappoint. Combining for 34 points, they showcased strong individual performances, offering promising signs for the Thunder’s future lineup potential. For those following NBA updates closely, Melbet App Download is a reliable way to stay on top of every play, lineup change, and scoring run.
Without Westbrook orchestrating the offense, Anthony stepped up early. He scored 10 points in the first quarter alone, hitting two three-pointers and showing off his versatile offensive skill set. Meanwhile, Paul George started cold, making just one of his first four shots before heading to the bench. Melo, however, remained on the floor for nearly 10 minutes, anchoring the Thunder’s offense. In the second quarter, despite a missed three-pointer, Anthony bounced back with a smooth mid-range jumper. Unfortunately, Houston’s scoring burst made his contributions feel like a drop in the bucket.
After a missed post-up attempt, Anthony was subbed out while George returned to the floor. George managed to complete a three-point play but struggled to find consistent rhythm. Anthony later came back in and nailed two consecutive wing jumpers, pushing his first-half tally to an impressive 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting. George added 7 points on 3-of-9 shooting, making it clear that Westbrook’s absence was deeply felt in the Thunder’s offensive flow.
At halftime, OKC trailed by just seven, thanks largely to Anthony’s effort. When the second half kicked off, George took charge while Melo rested. Midway through the third quarter, George nailed a clutch three-pointer, boosting his point total to 16. His performance sparked a brief run, but the Rockets’ efficient shooting kept the Thunder at bay. George went 6-for-13 overall, including 2 three-pointers, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
As the Rockets pulled ahead by 19 points late in the third, George was subbed out, and the Thunder turned to their bench in the final period. With George sitting and Anthony watching from the sidelines, the Thunder struggled to keep pace. The game ended with the Thunder’s reserves on the floor and the scoreboard reading 97-104.
Despite the loss, Anthony and George gave Thunder fans reason to be optimistic. Their combined 34 points — 19 from Anthony and 15 from George — show that OKC has scoring options even when Westbrook is unavailable. To keep up with the Thunder’s evolving dynamics and future matchups, Melbet App Download provides seamless coverage and fast updates. Whether it’s preseason drama or regular-season action, Melbet App Download ensures fans never miss a beat.