It took just one game for Rockets' Kevin Durant gamble to pay colossal dividends

As the Houston Rockets fell, 124-125, in a tantalizing, double-OT season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder, their offensive arsenal was on full display despite the mistakes they made throughout the night.

While Alperen Sengun stole the spotlight with an absurd, 39-point performance, offseason acquistion Kevin Durant looked to be the piece they lacked so sorely last season, scoring in the clutch and bending the opposing defense to his will throughout the course of the game.

Although the Rockets lost, there are multiple silver linings in this game, and the most important might very well be the sneak peek fans got at the effect Durant can have on the team this season.

Kevin Durant is in fact the missing piece for the Rockets' offense

In many ways, Houston's biggest shortcomings were on display in their first game of the regular season. With no bona-fide point guard in the absence of Fred VanVleet, both Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard saw immense pressure from the swarming opposing defense, having a number of gruesome turnovers on the night.

Moreover, although the double-big lineup made its exciting first appearance, and proved to be dominant on the boards, the spacing with both Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams on the floor did not look particularly conducive to a flowing offense.

However, Durant, who posted 23 points, nine rebounds and three assists while shooting 9-of-16 from the field, was everything that fans and analysts hoped he would be for this team.

Although he was at times made ineffective by the staunch defense of Lu Dort, Durant still got to his spots, sinking shots in the mid-range and looking as smooth as he ever has with his jumper.

At times throughout the night, he look purely unstoppable, and, if this version of Durant can continue to flash in the most important games of the season, Houston's offense could become seriously dangerous.

As the team fell to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs last season, they were missing a go-to scorer in clutch minutes that could help elevate them over staunch opposing defenses. While Sengun had a number of clutch moments, Durant needs to be that for the team this season, and he hit a number of shots this game that flashed his capability to do so.

While the Rockets ultimately did lose, they gave the defending champions a serious run for their money on the road, and Durant, despite fouling out at the end of the game, was a massive part of this performance.

It is safe to say the Houston's gamble in trading for Durant has already started to pay dividends.