As far as Austin Rivers is worried, he showed himself right with his career-high 41-point performance in the Houston Rockets 129-112 win on Sunday over the Sacramento Kings.
” You continue to tell yourself, You can do this, you can do this, you can do this, you can do this, for nights like this,” said Rivers, who had the most points by a Rockets reserve considering that Sleepy Floyd in 1991. “I believe Im a leading scorer.
” Thats just how I feel, however Im on a group where thats not needed of me every night. I play with the very best scorer in the NBA, and I have fun with the other among the very best scorers in the NBA, in Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Youve got to play a role and purchase in. Thats what winning basketball is, whichs what Im a part of, so thats what I do. But make no error, I understand I can score the ball. When you get in that zone, theres nothing better than that. Its simply different. Guy, it was an enjoyable, enjoyable night.”
1 RelatedRivers, who entered the night averaging 8.4 points per video game this season, played a much more prominent offending role than typical due to Westbrook (thigh contusion) and Eric Gordon (sprained ankle) sitting out versus the Kings. The Rockets are positive both will be able to return today, according to coach Mike DAntoni.
In the meantime, Rivers enjoyed having the ball in his hands far more frequently than he has actually ended up being familiar with. 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 simply in attack mode,” stated Harden, who had 32 points, 8 rebounds and seven assists. “Hes been going in the morning to the health club, shooting and working on his dive shot, so that kind of offered him his self-confidence.
Rivers, an eight-year veteran with a profession scoring average of 9.1 points per game, understands that some may discount his belief that he is an elite scorer. Nevertheless, he considers that confidence a task requirement.
” I understand that sounds funny, however thats simply the method you have to feel,” Rivers said. “Whether youre 0-for-6 or 6-for-6, 8-for-8, it does not matter. I do not think you get to this level by believing that somebody can safeguard you individually. Im clearly an individually player. I always feel like I have a possibility to score on anybody. Whether individuals see that or not, thats on them, however I understand how I feel.”
” You continue to tell yourself, You can do this, you can do this, you can do this, you can do this, for nights like this,” Austin Rivers stated on Sunday. With the Rockets leading easily, Rivers scored 18 points in the fourth quarter.
With his colleagues on the bench loudly rooting for him, Rivers scored 11 points in the last 4:12. He acknowledged he understood how close he was to his previous profession high of 38 points– embeded in an LA Clippers loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Dec. 23, 2017– when he inspected back into the video game and that he was figured out to accomplish a new individual finest.
” I was gon na go get it,” Rivers stated. The entire video game was natural, just streaming. Thats the best method to have a night like tonight.”
” I know that sounds funny, however thats just the way you have to feel,” Rivers stated.” You continue to tell yourself, You can do this, you can do this, you can do this, you can do this, for nights like this,” Austin Rivers said on Sunday. Expense Baptist/NBAE via Getty ImagesRivers had 19 points in the first half– a total he surpassed in only two previous video games this season– to assist Houston climb out of an early, 13-point deficit. With the Rockets leading easily, Rivers scored 18 points in the fourth quarter.
” I was gon na go get it,” Rivers stated.
