Tucker’s grit prized as asset

As often as the Rockets cited P.J. Tucker’s “grit” as the motivation for signing him as a backup power forward, with general manager Daryl Morey even saying matchups with the Golden State Warriors were at least part of his thinking, Tucker made that clear with his play in the fourth quarter Saturday night.

Tucker had struggled with his shot in recent weeks, making just 32.4 percent of his shots in the previous 15 games.

But the Rockets stuck with him down the stretch and were rewarded, with Tucker hitting a jumper in the lane and a corner 3-pointer. He also provided stout defense.

His top two scoring games of the season have been against the Warriors, with Tucker scoring 20 in the season opener and 12 on Saturday night in the Rockets’ 116-108 victory at Toyota Center.

“We have to have the grit that he has,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He’ll come up with the loose ball. He’ll come up with the rebound. He’ll hit a 3. He’ll just do what it takes to win. He doesn’t care about anything but winning. You have to have guys like that. You have to have guys like (Luc) Mbah a Moute and him that shore up your defense and come up with great plays. He was a great pickup and can keep getting better.

“They give us a lot of depth, smarts, championship-style play. P.J. and Luc together on the defensive end, they are incredible.”

Tucker, the only Rocket to have played in all 44 contests, had his first game scoring in double figures since Dec. 20 against the Lakers.

But the Rockets cited his work on the other end of the floor.

“That’s what he’s here for,” guard James Harden said. “When he doesn’t bring that, that’s when we’re missing that physical toughness.

“He made shots, grabbed some rebounds. He did what P.J. needs to do.”

Capela stresses impact of win

As soon as center Clint Capela said the Rockets had convinced themselves they could and would beat the Warriors if they get another chance, he moved on to what comes next.

The Rockets are one of two teams, along with the Memphis Grizzlies, to have beaten the Warriors three times in the past two regular seasons.

The Rockets followed both wins with victories the next night, prevailing in Denver last season and Sacramento this season.

“Now we know that we definitely (are) going to beat them, we can beat them,” Capela said. “So now we have to be focused and do the same thing the next game, even if the next game is not going to be as exciting.

“We have to be able to prove this as much as we can every single night. It’s going to be a key for us.”