Rockets set record with 26 three-pointers in 136-118 win against Wizards
The crowd was growing wild as the game-clock was ticking to end of regulation. Houston Rockets found themselves just one 3-pointer away from creating league record history for the most threes made in a game. Every time a Rockets' player got hold of the ball, the crowd erupted with a chant of "Three, Three, Three..." but they'd missed four consecutive attempts and the clock continued to run down.
With 31.1 seconds left, reserve guard Michael Carter-Williams got a pass from Gary Clark off an offensive rebound and drilled the record-breaking 26th 3-pointer. They shot 26 of 55 attempts from distance, at an impressive 37.3% conversion rate. The previous record was held by the Cleveland Cavaliers for 25, which they completed in March last year against the Atlanta Hawks.
Stats breakdown on record-breaking night
In this 136-118 win against the Washington Wizards, the Rockets came in hot from every direction since the opening tip. Reigning MVP James Harden scored a game-high 35 points, drilling six threes of his own, while Chris Paul converted five, Gerald Green and Eric Gordon both made four. All of their starters ended in double digits.
They've now won their last five games and will be meeting the Miami Heat in their next encounter. This season, their struggles have been well-documented and they sit in 7th place in the Western Conference at present with a 16-14 record.
As for the Wizards, that defeat was their 6th of their last seven matches. Trevor Ariza, a former Rocket, was visiting the Toyota Center for the first time in Wizards uniform after departing his former employers in free-agency this past summer. They honoured him during the first quarter with a video tribute.
Ariza played a crucial role in the Rockets' legendary season with their 65-17 record. Also a driving force in the Playoffs, they ultimately fell one game short of the NBA Finals. As Otto Potter Jr. is sidelined through a leg strain injury, his new side have made Ariza a starter and is currently exploring his role on the team, after being traded by the Phoenix Suns last week.