Nikola Jokic did everything to his power to bring Rockets down but the red-hot Houston with Alperen Sengun leading the way added to its winning streak. After the contest, Jokic praised the Rockets and Sengun for their play.
“I think it is a good thing that they are playing a little bit more through him. I think that is going to benefit the whole organization. He is a guy who is not selfish. He wants to play for the team and he wants to pass,” Jokic told to reporters after Sunday’s contest.
Jokic had a massive triple-double in the Nuggets’ loss putting up 36 points, 21 rebounds and 11 assists, but the Rockets held to the win to improve to 6-3 after starting the season 0-3. Sengun had 23 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the winning side.
“The whole team is going to move when the ball is in his hands. He played really good today,” Jokic continued on the Turkish big man.
Sengun has a massive influence in the Rockets’ play during their 6-game winning streak as Houston is a plus-12.2 with him on the floor. More importantly, he’s racking up 19.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists on 63% shooting in the last six.
New head coach Ime Udoka is converting Sengun to “baby Jokic” and the Rockets are playing more through him with the backing of veterans like Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks.
If they can continue trending upwards, then the Rockets might be close to at least securing a play-in spot at the end of the regular season.
