As for Austin Rivers, he proved himself right with his career-high 41-point performance in the Houston Rockets’ 129-112 win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
“You keep telling yourself, ‘You can do this, you can do this, you can do this, you can do this,’ for nights like this,” said Rivers, who has had the most points through a Rockets reservation since Sleepy Floyd in 1991. “I believe I’m a head scorer.
“That’s exactly how I feel, but I’m a team where I’m not required every night. I play with the best score in the NBA, and I play with the other one of the best scorers. in the NBA, in Russell Westbrook and James Harden. That you have to play a role and buy in. That’s what winning basketball is, and that’s what I’m part of, so that’s what I do. But make no mistake, “I know I can score the ball. When you get in that zone, there’s nothing better than that. It’s just different. Man, it was a nice, fun night.”
Rivers, who averaged 8.4 points per game this season, played a much more prominent offensive role than usual because of Westbrook (dike confusion) and Eric Gordon (spread ankle) sitting out against the Kings. The Rockets are optimistic both will be able to return this week, according to coach Mike D’Antoni.
Meanwhile, Rivers enjoyed holding the ball in his hands much more often than he was used to. He was 14-of-20 from the floor, 6-of-11 from 3-point range and 7-of-8 from the free throw line in 33 minutes.
“He was just in attack mode,” said Harden, who had 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. “He went to the gym that morning, shooting and working on his jump shot, that kind of gave him his confidence. Of course with no Russ and no Eric, he had to be a little more aggressive. He did that.”
Rivers, an eight-year veteran with a career average of 9.1 points per game, understands that some may spit on his belief that he is an elite choir. However, he considers trust to be a job requirement.
“I know that sounds funny, but that’s just the way you should feel,” Rivers said. “Whether you are 0-for-6 or 6-for-6, 8-for-8, it does not matter. I do not think you get to this level by thinking that someone can protect you individually. I’m obviously “a one-on-one player. I always feel like I have the opportunity to score on everyone. Whether people see that or not, that’s up to them, but I know how I feel.”
Rivers had 19 points in the first half – a total he exceeded in just two previous games this season – to help Houston climb from an early 13-point deficit. With the Rockets comfortably leading, Rivers scored 18 points in the fourth quarter.
With his teammates on the bench loudly rooting for him, Rivers scored 11 points in the final 4:12. He admitted he knew how close he was to his previous career high of 38 points – set in an LA Clippers loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Dec. 23. 2017 – when he checked back into the game and that he was determined to achieve a new personal best.
“I would get it,” Rivers said. “But I still wanted to do it the right way. I did not want to just come down and jack everything. I kept a few shots, but this is why it’s fun to play on this team. You guys have it encourage.They gave me the ball.It’s not that I chased it, took it.You guys had them aware of this, and it was the last few minutes of the game.The whole game was natural, just flowing.the best way to have a night like last night. “
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