Looking back at the three longest games in Houston Rockets history

With the Houston Rockets having been pushed to multiple overtimes several times in their history, we take a look back at how those games played out.

When it comes to excitement in basketball, it’s tough to beat a good overtime game. A narrow win or crushing loss all comes down to just five minutes of play after 48 minutes of neither team bending. The Houston Rockets have had their share of overtime thrillers, some of which took multiple extra sessions to decide a winner.

For the most part, the Rockets have been able to avoid needing overtime this season, with their only two happening against the San Antonio Spurs in a double-overtime loss and an overtime win in Boston.

Over the years, though, the Rockets have had some thrilling games that have provided fans with over a full quarter’s worth of extra game time. Houston has gone into triple overtime three times throughout their time in the league, with their first one happening almost two decades ago.

1. Indiana Pacers @ Houston Rockets – March 13, 2001

In what became a showdown of strong performances by nearly every starter, it was an unexpected hero off the bench who sealed the deal for the Rockets in a three-overtime thriller in 2001.

With a sub-500 Indiana Pacers visiting the Compaq Center, no one could’ve expected that Jalen Rose was going to shoot 16-of-34 to keep the Pacers around for so long. Yet, the 6-8 forward nearly tallied a triple-double when all was said and done, putting up 39 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.

Meanwhile, Cuttino Mobley and Maurice Taylor were carrying the load for the Houston Rockets, both scoring 25 by the time the third overtime came around. Apparently, triple overtime is where Moochie Norris draws the line, as he ended up outscoring the Pacers on his own in the deciding frame.

With the game knotted up at 112 after two overtime periods, Moochie started the third overtime with a 3-pointer 11 seconds in and was just getting started. Norris followed that up with a 19-footer in Houston’s next possession followed by two more jumpers from mid-range.

With the game finally in-hand, Norris knocked in two free throws for good measure for points 10 and 11 in the final overtime. The Pacers had just six as a team in those last five minutes. Thanks to Moochie finally putting his foot down, the Rockets prevailed 127-118.

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